Redundant Churches

Caroline Spelman: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst of 22 July 2008,  Official Report, column 983W, on redundant churches, what assessment the Church Commissioners have made of the reasons for churches being closed for regular public worship.

Stuart Bell: Decisions to propose closure for regular public worship are taken within each diocese and the Commissioners have made no specific assessment of the reasons behind such decisions. Where objections are received, the Commissioners consider whether there is a pastoral need for the church. On average, between 25 and 30 churches are closed each year; this is in the context of over 16,000 churches in use, including a number of new places of worship opening each year.

Palace of Westminster: Pedestrian Access

David Amess: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission with reference to the answer of 6 November 2006,  Official Report, column 671W, on pedestrian access, what progress has been made in ensuring that pedestrian access to the Palace of Westminster is not impeded by inadequate rainwater drainage on St. Margaret's Street; when the House of Commons Commission last discussed this issue with Westminster City Council; what response was received; on how many occasions since December 2008 pedestrian access to the Palace of Westminster has been impeded by rainwater; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: A record is not kept of the number of times pedestrian access to the Palace of Westminster has been impeded by rainwater. The drainage gully on St. Margaret Street adjacent to St. Stephen's Entrance is blocked regularly with rubbish and detritus and Westminster city council arrange for it to be cleared when flooding is causing a nuisance. Further representations will be made to the council to increase the frequency of cleaning in this location and to explore whether the gully can be covered to reduce the likelihood of future blockage. There have been no discussions on this subject between the House of Commons Commission and Westminster city council.

Agriculture: Subsidies

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government have taken to assist agricultural producers affected by the outbreaks of foot and mouth disease.

Jane Kennedy: The Animal Health Act 1981 and Human Rights legislation require that compensation is paid for animals compulsorily killed to prevent the spread of disease. For foot and mouth disease (FMD), compensation is paid for all animals compulsorily slaughtered at the full market value before the animal became infected. Compensation is also paid for other items, such as farm equipment and feed etc which are seized as they are considered to be contaminated. This includes such things as milk. The amount of compensation payable for animals for FMD is determined by an approved valuer at the time of slaughter.

Birds

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 27 January 2009,  Official Report, column 320W, on birds, about what elements of the report there were uncertainties; what the reasons are for the time taken to resolve such uncertainties; and whether the contract made provision for financial penalties for late or sub-standard delivery.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Queries about the nature, reliability and robustness of the information reported, have delayed publication of this report. These queries included the extent to which conclusions in the report were supported by reliable evidence, and whether individuals named in the report had agreed to the inclusion of their names.
	The report was reviewed with the authors five times as a consequence of officials raising questions about its content. While the authors of the report acted as promptly as possible, delays did occur due to the difficulties of verification of data with third parties overseas, or as key personnel were not available temporarily.
	While the contract did allow for penalties none were imposed because at the time, March/April 2008, the report was believed to be reasonably correct. Most of the concerns about the style and content of the report only came to light subsequently, and the contractor then undertook the necessary additional work.

Departmental Pay

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been spent by his Department on staff reward and recognition schemes in each of the last three years.

Huw Irranca-Davies: DEFRA and its Executive agencies operate a number of different non-financial reward and recognition schemes for staff (excludes bonus schemes) at grade 6 equivalent and below.
	These provide DEFRA and its agencies with the flexibility to recognise and reward their employees, with small/symbolic awards.
	Details of the costs associated with each scheme are outlined as follows:
	 DEFRA Team Awards (including Executive agencies)
	The DEFRA Team Awards identify and celebrate success across DEFRA and its agencies.
	Each year an annual awards dinner and ceremony is held, to which short-listed teams from across DEFRA are invited.
	The winning teams in each category receive a certificate of congratulations and are awarded a trophy, made from recycled materials that has no commercial value.
	The cost of staging the event in each of the last three years are given in the following table.
	
		
			   £ 
			 2006 20,557.92 
			 2007 20,533 
			 2008 23,328.20 
		
	
	 'Achieving the Best'—Animal Health (AH), DEFRA Executive agency
	'Achieving the Best' is the agency's scheme for recognising and rewarding good performance and long service at local and agency-wide level.
	The scheme was introduced on 1 April 2007.
	There are two recognition and reward schemes that operate under the 'Achieving the Best' scheme:
	the Animal Health Instant Award; and
	the Animal Health Long Service Award.
	 Animal Health Instant Award
	This takes the form of a voucher up to a value of £50 per employee. The minimum voucher award is £10 and the maximum is £50.
	The total cost of providing the Instant Awards for 2007-08, was £89,518.
	 Animal Health Long Service Awards
	Two awards (a 25-Year and a 40-Year Long Service award) are presented locally to individuals who have completed the requisite service in the civil service (including any previous service in MAFF, DEFRA, the State Veterinary Service, Animal Health or any other Government Department).
	Recipients receive a certificate and are granted two days special paid leave (for the 25-Year award) or five days special paid leave (for the 40-Year award), which are awarded at the agency's bi-annual awards ceremony that celebrates success.
	For 2007-08, 16 25-Year awards were made to Animal Health staff, at a cost of £5,758.02; three 40-Year awards were made at a cost of £3,299.57.
	The costs shown are inclusive of a proportion of the costs for staging the Long Service Awards part of the event.
	 Voucher Scheme—Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), DEFRA Executive agency
	The agency operates a voucher scheme, which is designed to recognise one-off achievements throughout the course of the year. These are awarded in £50 lots.
	The cost of operating the scheme in each of the last three years are given in the following table.
	
		
			   £ 000 
			 2006 15 
			 2007 15 
			 2008 15 
		
	
	 Non-Pay Reward Scheme—Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA), DEFRA Executive agency
	The scheme is designed to act as a motivational award to an individual or team, which underpins VLA's organisational values, aims and objectives. It encourages and rewards good performance, promotes team building or recognises outstanding contribution.
	Responsibility for deciding on the award is delegated to Heads of Departments/Units, who are each allocated a share of the non-pay reward budget, relative to the size of the team.
	The cost of operating the scheme in each of the last three years are shown in the following table.
	
		
			   £ 
			 2006-07 9,996 
			 2007-08 12,236 
			 2008-09 (to date) 6,004

Departmental Training

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the answer of 10 November 2008,  Official Report, column 770W, on departmental training, what personal training courses at public expense other Ministers in his Department have undertaken since 1 January 2008.

Huw Irranca-Davies: DEFRA Ministers attended three courses in the period concerned, each of them lasting no longer than one day. The courses were intended to enable Ministers to carry out their duties effectively in line with the ministerial code.

Members: Correspondence

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he plans to reply to the letter of 12 December 2008 from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire on the Amazon rainforest.

Huw Irranca-Davies: holding answer 12 February 2009
	I signed a reply to the hon. Member for West Worcestershire (Sir Michael Spicer) on 10 February.

Recycling: Calderdale

Chris McCafferty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent estimate he has made of  (a) household recycling rates and  (b) levels of collection services for materials for recycling in Calderdale; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 12 February 2009
	In 2007-08 Calderdale council's household recycling and composting rate was 24.92 per cent. 96.53 per cent. of households in Calderdale had a kerbside collection of at least one recyclable material.
	This data is available at local authority level for the last three years at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/wastats/index.htm.

Rural Areas: Community Development

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make representations to his EU counterparts on a replacement for the LEADER Programme.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The Leader approach is now being implemented through mainstream rural development programming rather than as a separate programme in its own right. Under the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), 61 Local Action Groups have been selected so far to deliver the Leader approach. This element of the RDPE has only been operational since January 2008 and we will want to review progress over the remainder of the programming period with a view to preparing for EU negotiations on the next programming period. The current programme runs until 2013, and therefore we do not envisage discussions at EU level on the future rural development programme for some time.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the answer of 14 October 2008,  Official Report, column 1016W, on Afghanistan: peacekeeping operations, when he expects the review to be completed.

Bob Ainsworth: The review of UK detention records has been a major undertaking; we hope to publish the findings in the near future.

Armed Forces: Housing

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 20 January 2009,  Official Report, column 1264W, on departmental housing, how many houses owned by his Department were rated as grade  (a) one,  (b) two,  (c) three and  (d) four in (i) 2005, (ii) 2006 and (iii) 2007.

Bob Ainsworth: Officials are working to identify what information can be provided. I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
	 Substantive answer from Kevan Jones to Willie Rennie, dated 2 1 February 2009:
	My right hon. Friend, the Minister for the Armed Forces undertook to write to you in answer to your Parliamentary Question on 27 January 2009 , Official Report, column 305W about grades of Service Family Accommodation.
	The following breakdown of Service Family Accommodation properties worldwide by each Grade for Charge (GfC) at 1 April 2005, 2006, and 2007 respectively.
	
		
			  Number 
			   2005  2006  2007 
			 G1fC 15,960 15,007 12,430 
			 G2fC 26,878 27,089 26,447 
			 G3fC 20,123 20,596 22,209 
			 G4fC 7,694 7,867 8,720

Armed Forces: Racial Discrimination

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what policies and practices are in place to counter sectarianism and racism in the armed forces.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 19 January 2009
	The armed forces aim to create a working environment free from harassment, intimidation and unlawful discrimination in which everyone is not only valued and respected, but encouraged to realise their full potential, regardless of race, ethnic origin, religion, gender, social background or sexual orientation. All complaints of discrimination or harassment are taken seriously, investigated thoroughly, and, when proven, dealt with robustly.
	Education is central to the drive to promote awareness of diversity and equality and to eliminate unacceptable behaviour. Diversity and equality training is undertaken at the Joint Equality and Diversity Training Centre and widely across all three services. Other measures include: confidential advice and support helplines; trained equality and diversity advisers in every unit; guidance, videos and briefings on diversity issues, harassment, bullying and complaints.
	A Service Complaints Commissioner for the .Armed Forces took up her appointment on 1 January 2008. The Commissioner has the power to refer allegations of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and dishonest, improper or biased behaviour to the chain of command for action. The role of the Commissioner is to provide scrutiny and assurance that the complaints process is working effectively and that lessons are learned implemented.

Armed Forces: Recruitment

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent on recruitment advertising for each of the armed forces in each month in each year since 1998.

Bob Ainsworth: A monthly breakdown of advertising expenditure is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, a detailed breakdown of armed forces recruitment advertising costs by year for each service is provided in the following table.
	
		
			  £ million 
			   FY 
			   2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09 
			  Naval Service( 1)   
			 Press Advertising 0.333 0.213 0.157 0.172 0.093 — 
			 TV 0.399 3.136 2.952 1.529 3.905 1.771 
			 Cinema 1.600 0.641 — 0.481 0.870 1.025 
			 Radio 1.330 1.475 0.689 — — — 
			 Posters/Leaflets 0.464 0.055 0.057 — 0.500 0.138 
			 Internet 0.257 0.445 0.257 1.741 1.100 1.144 
			 Regional/Local — — 1.076 0.496 0.500 0.500 
			 Media Partnerships — — — — — 0.215 
			 Total 4.383 5.965 5.188 4.419 6.968 4.793 
			
			  Army( 2)   
			 Press Advertising 0.379 0.620 1.443 0.723 1.100 1.272 
			 TV 4.138 10.407 10.896 6.877 9.229 10.778 
			 Cinema —. 0.060 —- —- — — 
			 Radio — — 1.501 0.695 0.800 0.479 
			 Internet — — 0.143 0.143 0.600 0.210 
			 Outdoor — — 0.735 0.735 0.600 0.037 
			 Other 0.029 — 1.017 0.956 1.000 1,222 
			 Total 4.546 11.087 15.735 10.129 13.329 14.000 
			
			  Royal Air Force( 3)   
			 Press Advertising 0.350 0.308 0.221 0.725 0.694 1.040 
			 TV 1.780 1.718 1.362 1.468 2.527 3.061 
			 Cinema — — — — 0.235 0.600 
			 Radio 0.560 0.195 0.206 0.465 0.495 0.697 
			 Internet 0.202 0.229 0.251 0.635 0.636 3.240 
			 Other 0.238 0.518 (4)-0.084 1.051 0.271 0.384 
			 Total 3.130 2.968 1.956 4344 4.858 9.022 
			 (1) Navy figures for FY 2008-09 represent a projected forecast of expenditure. (2) Army figures for FY 2008-09 represent money spent or already committed and are not speculative. (3) RAF FY 2008-09 figures are current up to the 14 January 2009. (4) Rebate from Central Office of Information.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of contractors and suppliers to  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies have reported that they are compliant with the Government's security standards following publication of the report, Data Handling Procedures in Government, and the accompanying document, Cross-departmental Actions: Mandatory Minimum Action, on 25 June 2008.

Bob Ainsworth: MOD is a large organisation with a commensurate number of contracts—almost 23,000 contracts were placed in Financial Year 2007-08. MOD is in the process of confirming full compliance with all its suppliers and expects to complete this task by end March. As an initial step those defence contractors who have declared to Defence Security and Safety Assurance (MOD's Accreditation Authority), a requirement to have a connection to MOD's restricted network (the RLI) or work electronically at confidential or above, have been asked to confirm their compliance with MOD's List-X Notice on laptop and media encryption policy, issued in response to the data handling review. Some 73.3 per cent. have confirmed compliance. A further 8.3 per cent. have confirmed that they do not currently comply but have (or are in the process of) submitting risk balanced cases to describe how they are mitigating these risks together with plans to address shortcomings. 18.3 per cent. are still to respond formally and are being hastened.

Departmental Databases

Eleanor Laing: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost of maintaining the databases owned and managed by  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies was in (i) 2006, (ii) 2007 and (iii) 2008.

Bob Ainsworth: Databases can vary in their size and scope from small, locally-maintained systems held on standalone computers to those used more widely across the Ministry of Defence. There is therefore no centrally-held record of all databases owned and managed by the Department and its agencies and the cost of maintaining them in 2006, 2007 and 2008 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental ICT

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Chesterfield of 24 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 897-8W, on departmental ICT, how many internal investigations have been held into the  (a) loss or theft and  (b) recovery of (i) memory sticks, (ii) laptop computers, (iii) desktop computers and (iv) hard drives; and how many such investigations related to the loss of material classified as (A) confidential, (B) secret and (C) top secret in 2008.

Kevan Jones: The MOD takes any loss of media storage devices very seriously and has robust procedures in place. In response to the findings of the Data Handling Review and Burton Report new processes, instructions and technological aids are being implemented to mitigate human errors and raise awareness of every individual in the Department. Details of the number of investigations into lost/stolen/recovered media storage devices are not collated centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Staff

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence How many staff in his Department were disciplined for  (a) bullying and  (b) harassment of colleagues in each of the last three years.

Kevan Jones: The information requested is not held centrally for all the dates requested. However, records held centrally of civilian staff disciplined specifically for bullying and harassment of colleagues in the Department for the periods:
	March 2007 to March 2008 include 16 cases of disciplinary action specifically for bullying and harassment of colleagues.
	April 2008 to January 2009 include 10 cases of disciplinary action specifically for bullying and harassment of colleagues.

EU Rapid Reaction Force

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 5 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1406W, on EU rapid reaction force, what forces are available for planning purposes for EU missions.

Bob Ainsworth: I refer the hon. Member to the answer the then Secretary of State (Des Browne) gave on 4 March 2008,  Official Report, column 2348W.

HMS Endurance

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects a full assessment of the damage to HMS Endurance on 16 December 2008 to be completed; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: Work has been already undertaken to assess HMS Endurance's material state, but further investigations are required which will take place on her return to the UK at the end of March. It is estimated that a full assessment of its condition will be completed by the end of May.

Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 28 January 2009,  Official Report, column 509W, on the Joint Strike Fighter, what estimate he has made of the effect of the recent changes in the value of sterling against the US dollar on the cost of the development phase of the Joint Strike Fighter programme.

Quentin Davies: Since the UK joined the development phase of the joint strike fighter programme in 2001 we have benefited significantly from the strength of the pound against the dollar and as a result forecasted costs are still expected to remain within the approved level. As the UK contributions to this phase of the programme are largely complete, I do not anticipate a significant impact.

Military Aircraft

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many air-to-air refuelling sorties were flown by the  (a) Tornado and  (b) Harrier fleets in the United Kingdom in each month of each of the last five financial years;
	(2)  what the rate of rejection of eco-engines from first line in the United Kingdom was in each week of each of the last five financial years;
	(3)  how much aviation fuel was transferred to the Tornado air defence and ground attack fleets during air-to-air refuelling operations in the United Kingdom in each week of each of the last five financial years;
	(4)  how much aviation fuel was used by the Tornado air defence and ground attack fleets in the United Kingdom in each week of each of the last five financial years;
	(5)  how much aviation fuel was consumed by the Harrier fleet in the United Kingdom in each week of each of the last five financial years;
	(6)  what the rate of rejection of RB 199 aero engines from first line was in the United Kingdom in each week of each of the last five financial years.

Bob Ainsworth: I will write to the hon. Member.
	 Substantive answer from Bob Ainsworth to  David  Lidington:
	I undertook to write to you in answer to your six Parliamentary Questions on 19 January 2009,  Official Report, column 1051W, requesting information about fuel consumption and engine rejection rates for the Harrier and Tornado fleets.
	You asked for a range of detailed and specific information about fuel consumption, much of which is not held centrally in the format requested and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. However, you have since indicated that your main interest in asking about fuel consumption was to establish whether there is an unjustified increase in RAF flying patterns towards the end of a financial year, designed to ensure that all available fuel is consumed and to justify future fuel budgets. Relevant data is readily available showing the volume of fuel transferred on the ground and during air-to-air refuelling (AAR) with UK tankers, for the Harrier, Tornado GR4 and Tornado F3 fleets for each financial year. This indicates fuel consumption trends by month across financial years since 2005-06. Data prior to 2005-06 is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	This data is set out in the following tables. To better show the trends it has also been presented in graphs for each financial year in an annex to this letter. It should be noted that the figures provided do not include fuel transferred from foreign tankers, for example during NATO exercises. They also do not include data for AAR consumption by 14 Squadron (Tornado GR4) based at RAF Lossiemouth, which is not available. Additionally, due to the relatively small level of consumption, figures for the Fast Jet Weapons Operational Evaluation Units are only recorded annually and so have not been included, as to do so would not assist in analysing any possible month on month trends. Because the figures which are missing are relatively small we do not consider them to be statistically significant.
	
		
			  Fuel transferred (million litres) 
			   Tornado F3  Tornado GR4  Harrier GR7/9 
			  2005-06
			 April 6.17 8.02 3.04 
			 May 7.77 11.19 3.64 
			 June 8.94 10.13 4.11 
			 July 7.17 16.02 6.50 
			 August 8.09 13.04 3.66 
			 September 7.58 12.69 4.42 
			 October 6.14 12.23 4.47 
			 November 6.58 13.48 4.38 
			 December 3.75 8.27 2.15 
			 January 6.16 10.67 3.24 
			 February 6.62 12.57 4.11 
			 March 5.67 9.73 3.40 
			 Total 80.64 138.04 47.12 
			 
			  2006-07
			 April 4.66 8.76 2.03 
			 May 7.20 10.68 2.33 
			 June 7.36 12.08 2.74 
			 July 5.77 22.47 5.40 
			 August 6.14 12.13 2.02 
			 September 5.38 13.59 2.26 
			 October 7.86 12.69 3.95 
			 November 5.48 13.12 2.71 
			 December 4.76 10.95 3.00 
			 January 5.07 9.54 3.02 
			 February 4.44 11.06 3.16 
			 March 6.76 11.76 1.72 
			 Total 70.88 148.83 36.51 
			 
			  2007-08
			 April 5.76 11.61 2.62 
			 May 5.29 9.08 2.83 
			 June 6.61 16.15 3.15 
			 July 4.42 11.01 2.97 
			 August 4.51 13.26 2.49 
			 September 4.97 12.33 3.36 
			 October 5.14 12.73 2.85 
			 November 5.73 8.52 2.46 
			 December 3.48 9.03 2.29 
			 January 5.01 11.58 3.22 
			 February 3.02 5.92 1.72 
			 March 4.62 12.28 3.21 
			 Total 58.56 133.50 33.17 
		
	
	As you can see, the data do not indicate a general upturn in fuel consumption in the final months of a financial year. Although this does occur in some cases, there are also some decreases at the end of financial years and peaks occurring at other times of the year. There are a number of reasons why flying rates may increase from December to March, including the improving weather and the fact that there is normally less flying in December and January, owing to traditional periods of leave. Flying may also increase in March because aircrew need to renew certain qualifications before the end of the training year, which coincides with the end of the financial year.
	You also asked about the rejection from first line in the UK for the Pegasus and RB 199 engines in each week of the last five financial years. This data is available on a monthly basis for both engine types from 2005-06 only and is provided in the following table. It is to be expected that there will be a higher number of rejected RB 199 engines, due to the much larger size of the Tornado fleet (for example there are currently 210 Tornado F3 and GR4 and only 75 Harrier GR9 in the fleet) and the fact that that the Tornado is a dual-engine aircraft, whereas the Harrier only has one Pegasus engine. However, on average the rate of rejection for the three financial years works out at almost the same: 3.39 engines per 1000 flying hours for the Tornado RB 199 engine as opposed to 3.52 for the Harrier Pegasus engine.
	An 'engine rejection' occurs when it is deemed unserviceable and the necessary repair action cannot be carried out with the engine installed or is beyond the capability of the engineers on the squadron. Unserviceability may be caused by, among other things, physical damage to the engine, engine components becoming life expired, unsatisfactory vibration characteristics or poor performance.
	
		
			   Rejection rate of the RB 199 engine (fitted to the Tornado F3 and GR4) per 1000 flying hours  Rejection rate of the Pegasus engine (fitted to the Harrier GR7/9) per 1000 flying hours 
			  2005-06   
			 April 3.66 1.59 
			 May 1.89 7.17 
			 June 5.06 0.76 
			 July 2.19 4.45 
			 August 3.00 5.81 
			 September 3.20 4.05 
			 October 3.16 5.29 
			 November 2.60 4.87 
			 December 3.27 4.27 
			 January 2.16 4.22 
			 February 3.65 1.97 
			 March 3.95 2.90 
			
			  2006-07   
			 April 3.19 2.22 
			 May 3.63 8.37 
			 June 3.31 1.54 
			 July 5.07 4.77 
			 August 2.79 2.83 
			 September 2.24 3.17 
			 October 3.24 2.14 
			 November 3.74 1.37 
			 December 2.92 4.80 
			 January 3.82 5.22 
			 February 2.55 1.87 
			 March 4.23 1.64 
			
			  2007-08   
			 April 2.93 2.51 
			 May 4.00 3.06 
			 June 4.91 4.30 
			 July 3.23 2.30 
			 August 4.12 4.81 
			 September 3.88 4.03 
			 October 4.51 2.63 
			 November 3.61 3.55 
			 December 3.01 1.97 
			 January 2.90 0.94 
			 February 3.47 6.03 
			 March 3.06 3.44 
		
	
	I hope this letter fully addresses your concerns.

Netherlands: Joint Exercises

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 3 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1116W, on Netherlands: military exercises, 
	(1)  how many Royal Marines he expects to participate in the 2009 UK/Netherlands amphibious landing force training exercise.
	(2)  where the 2009 exercise will take place.

Bob Ainsworth: Up to 700 Royal Marines are expected to participate in support of the 2009 UK/Netherlands amphibious landing force exercise, which is expected to take place in Turkey and Brunei.

Stabilisation Aid Fund

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide a breakdown of his Department's contribution of £15,350,000 to the Stabilisation Aid Fund as referred to in the written ministerial statement of 12 February 2009,  Official Report, columns 78-9WS, on departmental expenditure limits.

John Hutton: The Stabilisation Aid Fund (SAF) amounts to £73 million in 2008-09. For the purpose of the fund's financial management, the SAF sits on the MOD's baseline, but is managed jointly by the Department for International Development (DFID), the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the MOD. During the course of the financial year, the MOD has transferred funds to the FCO and DFID according to their forecast expenditure on SAF projects. The transfer of £15.35 million at spring supplementary estimates to the FCO is to cover residual forecast expenditure across a number of projects. Of this, £1.75 million is for project costs in Iraq, and £13.6 million for project costs in Afghanistan.

Members: Allowances

Nick Hurd: To ask the Leader of the House pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Chichester of 12 January 2009,  Official Report, column 1W, on Members: allowances, how many requests for advances of communications allowance have been granted to date; and what the reasons for the request for the advance was in each case.

Chris Bryant: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Chichester (Mr. Tyrie) on 12 January 2009,  Official Report, column 1W, in which I answered that no advance from the Communications Allowance had been requested either in the year 2009-10 or the previous year. There have been no requests for advances from the Communications Allowance in the period since this answer.

Benefits Helpline

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will assess the effects of the methods of operation of Benefits Helpline on benefits claimants; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what representations he has received on the operations of a company called Benefits Helpline; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Department for Work and Pensions makes advice on benefits and a wide range of other entitlements easily accessible to everyone through a variety of channels including information leaflets, telephone helplines, websites, and through intermediary organisations working closely with us.
	These sources of help and information are consistently promoted through the Department for Work and Pensions website, phone books, in Jobcentres and pension centres and by local authorities.
	In order to streamline public access to this and other Departments' information, it is now government policy that Departments should use Directgov:
	www.direct.gov.uk
	an online, TV and mobile phone service, providing citizens with access to information and services from across Government. This will replace the large numbers of standalone websites that Government currently run. The change is taking place between now and 2011.
	We also run many promotional campaigns to ensure that eligible and vulnerable people are aware of their entitlements.
	We would always recommend that where people are seeking information on entitlements, they should turn to the relevant Department for Work and Pensions agency, or trusted sources of information like Age Concern and the Citizen's Advice Bureau.
	We are aware that other organisations promote benefits advice services on a commercial basis and have received a small number of representations. However, these services are not in themselves illegal, and it is the responsibility of the service Regulator to monitor their operation and to take action where necessary to control them.

Crisis Loans

John Penrose: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many and what percentage of refusals of crisis loan applications were  (a) subject to appeal and  (b) overturned on appeal in each of the last four years;
	(2)  how long on average it took for successful crisis loan applicants to receive payment in each of the last four years;
	(3)  how long the process of appealing against refusal of a crisis loan application took on average in each of the last four years.

Kitty Ussher: A first review is a review at Jobcentre Plus requested by an applicant. Data is not available on the number of refusals of crisis loan applications which were  (a) subject to first review and  (b) overturned on first review. This is because some crisis loan applicants apply for a review of a partial award and data is only available on the number of all crisis loan applications which were  (a) subject to first review and  (b) overturned on first review. Similarly, data is not available on the average time taken to process a first review of a refusal of a crisis loan application, but is only available on the average time taken to process all first reviews of crisis loan applications.
	Information regarding reviews by the Independent Review Service is a matter for the social fund commissioner.
	Crisis loan awards for items are normally sent by post, so data is not available on the average time taken for successful crisis loan applicants to receive payment. However, data is available on the average time taken to process all crisis loan applications, but not on the average time taken to process successful applications only.

Discrimination: Mentally Ill

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy to increase public funding aimed at reducing levels of discrimination on grounds of mental health.

Jonathan R Shaw: We are committed to ending disability discrimination, including on the grounds of mental health, and are targeting resources in a number of areas to ensure that disabled people have the opportunity to benefit from the positive impact on health and well-being that work can bring.
	Through the "Employ ability" programme, we are engaging with employers to improve their understanding of disability and their attitudes towards employing disabled people. Employ ability activity is aimed at small to medium-sized employers and is being rolled out to Scotland, Wales and seven English regions between 24 March 2008 and 27 February 2009. The Government have committed £4,000,000 to the campaign.
	Access to Work helps around 24,000 disabled people take up or stay in work annually by helping to fund specialist equipment, such as writing support software, reading rulers or a Job Coach who can work with the customer to help them develop strategies for organising their work. The Access to Work budget has been increased from £15 million in 1994-95 to £69 million in 2008-09. In the White Paper, "Raising Expectations and Increasing Support", we made a commitment to double the budget for Access to Work. This will be a major expansion of the support we can offer to disabled people to help them get and sustain employment. We estimate that this could potentially double the number of people helped annually by 2013-14.
	The Government's response to Dame Carol Black's review of the health of Britain's working age population set out our plans to launch a range of initiatives to improve working age health and well-being, including mental health. These include the development of the first ever cross-Government National Mental Health and Employment Strategy which will bring employment and health services closer together, support employers and health care professionals and tackle issues such as discrimination and stigma.
	We have also improved and strengthened the Disability Discrimination Act to provide disabled people with a full and comprehensive set of enforceable rights in all areas of life, including in employment. The Disability Discrimination Act provides protection from disability discrimination for anyone who meets the Act's definition of a disabled person. A person with a mental health condition will therefore be covered by the provisions of the Act if the effect of their impairment meets the various elements of the definition.

Employment

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many vacancies were advertised by jobcentres in the  (a) fourth quarter of 2008,  (b) third quarter of 2008,  (c) fourth quarter of 2007 and  (d) fourth quarter of 2006.

Tony McNulty: The available information is in the following table:
	
		
			  Number of Vacancies advertised in Job centres: Great Britain 
			  Quarter ending  Vacancies 
			 October 2006 397,652 
			 November 2006 347,079 
			 December 2006 308,414 
			 October 2007 504,290 
			 November 2007 469,282 
			 December 2007 394,904 
			 July 2008 353,493 
			 August 2008 348,451 
			 September 2008 373,922 
			 October 2008 383,331 
			 November 2008 343,274 
			 December 2008 271,011 
			  Notes: 1. These are not whole economy figures. Coverage relates just to vacancies notified to Jobcentre Plus and as such represents a market share of vacancies throughout the whole economy. This proportion varies over time, according to the occupation of the vacancy and industry of the employer, and by local area. 2. These figures are of stocks of unfilled vacancies which reflect more accurately job opportunities available via Jobcentre Plus. In the case of unfilled vacancies, use of the figures on live vacancies is recommended (i.e. excluding suspended vacancies), and this is the default option. Live vacancies may still include some vacancies which have already been filled or are otherwise no longer open to recruits, due to natural lags in procedures for following up vacancies with employers. 3. Comprehensive estimates of all job vacancies (not just those notified to Jobcentre Plus) are available from the monthly ONS Vacancy Survey since April 2001, based on a sample of some 6,000 enterprises. However, the ONS survey is currently designed to provide national estimates only. 4. Interpretation of this data needs to take account of changes in recent years to Jobcentre Plus procedures for taking and handling vacancies. These figures are not fully comparable over time and may not indicate developments in the labour market. A more detailed explanation is available on the nomis website. 5. Data labelled as "Month X" predominantly relates to the previous month. The release calendar gives details of the monthly release dates and the periods covered. For example, January 2009 relates to the period (6 December 2008- 2 January 2009). 6. Reporting months relate to either a four week or five week period depending on count dates. Users should be cautious about comparing monthly flows and may wish to standardise the figures. For example the January 2009 period is a four week period whereas February 2009 is a five week period. 7. Vacancy data is collected by month and quarterly data is not available. It is not possible to sum up each month in the quarter as this would lead to some job vacancies being counted twice.  Source:  Jobcentre Plus Labour Market System

Employment Services: Down's Syndrome

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to help people with Down's syndrome into work.

Jonathan R Shaw: We have significantly improved and strengthened the employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, so that it now provides a comprehensive set of enforceable rights for disabled people, including those with Down's syndrome.
	We also operate a number of different schemes that disabled people can access in order to help them find work.
	Remploy offers support to disabled people with job search facilities and includes one-to-one advice and guidance. Remploy can also set up individually designed development plans, as well as offering in-work support and access to a range of local employment opportunities. Remploy has a proven track record of finding jobs for disabled people.
	Jobcentre Plus is committed to supporting disabled people, including those with Down's syndrome to find suitable, sustainable employment in their local area. It does this through its personal advisers, including Disability Employment Advisers.
	Jobcentre Plus works with a range of providers from the private, public and voluntary sectors to provide specialist disability programmes to help disabled people to overcome the labour market barriers they may face, these include Work Preparation, WORKSTEP (a programme of supported employment), New Deal for Disabled People, Residential Training and the Job Introduction Scheme. Disability Employment Advisers have access to work psychologists to assist them in supporting customers if appropriate.
	Disability Employment Advisers are also able to facilitate disabled people's applications to Access to Work, which can assist an individual who already has a job or has a job to start. Access to Work can provide practical advice and support to the disabled person and their employer to help them overcome work related obstacles resulting from disability. All Access to Work support is tailored to the individual's needs.
	The Government have also set up the "Employ ability" programme, in which we are currently engaging with employers to improve their understanding of disability and their attitudes towards employing disabled people, with long-term health conditions. "Employ ability" is aimed at small to medium-sized employers and is being rolled out to Scotland, Wales and seven regions between 24 March 2008 and 27 February 2009.

Employment Services: General Practitioners

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 16 December 2008,  Official Report, column 615W, on employment services: general practitioners, 
	(1)  what the location is of each GP surgery in which an employment adviser is placed;
	(2)  how many Jobcentre advisers have been placed in GP surgeries in each financial year since the programme started;
	(3)  what future projections his Department has made for  (a) expenditure on and  (b) the number of Jobcentre employment advisers in GP surgeries;
	(4)  how much has been spent on placing Jobcentre advisers in GP surgeries in each financial year since the programme started.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 19 January 2009
	Information about surgery locations in the original pilot and expansion is in the following table. In addition, advisers provide services in approximately 70 GPs surgeries in Scotland. Information about the towns where the surgeries are located is also provided.
	In the original five pilot sites the project was funded for one full time adviser. The current projection for expenditure is £309,996 per year per district. This includes staff costs, training and set up costs for the surgery which will include a risk assessment. The number of advisers will remain at one full-time post per district. Occasionally a district will split the post to two part-time posts. The projected total is therefore 15 to 17 advisers. The original pilot had five to seven advisers.
	The original five pilot sites were funded from Pathways to Work programme money with £1.5 million for three years. However, individual sites added funding from a variety of sources to boost provision for the Pathways Advisory Service. For the expansion no significant spend has taken place as the districts are currently working to set up the project. It is expected each district will keep within the projected £309,996 figure.
	
		
			  Pathways Advisory Service surgery locations 
			  District   GP Practice 
			 Stoke on Trent Longton Willow Bank Health Centre 
			  Longton Single practitioner 
			  Longton Single practitioner 
			
			 Cumbria Barrow-in-Furness Atkinson Health Centre 
			  Barrow-in-Furness Bridgegate Medical Centre 
			  Barrow-in-Furness Duke Street Surgery 
			  Barrow-in-Furness Norwood Medical Practice 
			  Barrow-in-Furness Risedale Surgery 
			
			 Lancashire Accrington Richmond Medical Centre 
			  Burnley Ruskin Health Centre 
			  Burnley Rosehill Surgery 
			  Burnley Kiddrow Lane Health Centre 
			  Burnley St Nicholas Group Practice 
			  Burnley Yorkshire Street Medical Centre 
			  Nelson Whitefield Health Care 
			
			 South Wales Valleys Ponypridd Ynysangharad Surgery 
			  Abertillery Abernant Surgery 
			  Treorchy Forest View 
			  Aberdare St. Johns Surgery 
			
			 Swansea Pontardawe Pontardawe Health Centre 
			
			 Tyne and Wear South Shields Flagg Court Health Centre 
			
			 Manchester Salford Ganvier Centre 
			  Salford Little Hulton Practice 
			  Salford Willow Tree Healthy Living Centre 
			  Salford The Surgery 
			  Salford Sorrel Bank Medical Practice 
			
			 Tees Valley Norton Norton Medical Centre 
			  Middlesbrough Park Surgery 
			  Hartlepool McKenzie Practice 
			  Darlington Orchard Practice 
			
			 Somerset and Dorset Cheddar Cheddar MC 
			  Bridgwater Redgate MC 
			  Bridgwater Victoria Park MC 
			  Bridgwater East Quay MC 
			  Bridgwater Somerset Bridge MC 
			  Bridgwater Glastonbury MC 
			  Weymouth Royal Crescent Surgery 
			  Dorchester Broadmayne Surgery 
			  Boscombe Boscombe Surgery 
			
			
			 Highlands Islands, Clyde Coast and Grampian Paisley Northcroft Glenburn 
			  Barhead Levern Medical Centre 
			  Johnstone Linden 
			   Linwood 
			  Renfrew Renfrew Health Centre 
			  Aberdeen Carden Medical Centre 
			   Ferryhill Medical Practice 
			   Garthdee Medical Group 
			   Holburn Medical Group 
			   Rubslow Place Medical Group 
			   Marywell Health Centre 
			   Torry Medical Practice 
			   Elmbank Group 
			   Northfield/Mastrick Medical Practice 
			   Victoria Street Medical Practice 
			   Westburn Medical Group 
			   Woodside Medical Group 
			   Hamilton Medical Group 
			   Links Medical Practice 
			   Old Aberdeen Medical Practice 
			   Oldmachar Medical Practice 
		
	
	 Towns in Scotland with advisers in GPs surgeries
	Aberdeen
	Airdrie
	Ayr
	Blantyre
	Coatbridge
	Cumbernauld
	Cummnock
	Dalmellington
	Dumfries
	Dundee
	Edinburgh
	Galston
	Girvan
	Glasgow
	Greenock
	Irvine
	Moffat
	Paisley
	Patna
	Portland, Kilmarnock
	Rutherglen
	Stranraer.
	For Scotland, information about the number of whole time equivalent advisers which have worked in GPs surgeries is in the following table. Funding for the project is not ring-fenced but comes from outreach work budgets. Therefore, associated costs such as risk assessment will be part of this spend and mirror the costs incurred for the main project. The cost of the personal advisers is met from general Jobcentre Plus staff cost budgets. It is planned to continue to provide the equivalent of nine full-time advisers for the foreseeable future.
	
		
			  Whole - time equivalent number of advisers which have worked in GPs surgeries in each of the following years in Scotland 
			   Number 
			 2008 8 
			 2009 9

Health and Safety Executive: Marketing

Jeremy Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost of the Health and Safety Executive's Make the Promise campaign was; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The cost of Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) 'Make the promise - Come home safe' farm safety campaign to date is £692,000. This covers development work, advertising in the trade press and online publications; a direct marketing pack to nearly 68,000 farmers; a press and PR campaign.
	Farming is one of the most dangerous ways to make a living in Britain. Agriculture comprises about 1.5 per cent. of the working population but accounts for 15 per cent. to 20 per cent. of fatal incidents each year. This new campaign is part of a wider HSE initiative targeted at reducing the number of work related deaths in farming. The 'Make the promise' campaign has very strong support from the National Farmers' Union and other stakeholders.

Incapacity Benefit

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of existing incapacity benefit claimants will take part in  (a) a single work-focused interview,  (b) three work-focused interviews and  (c) mandatory work preparation activities in (i) 2009, (ii) 2010, (iii) 2011 and (iv) 2012.

Jonathan R Shaw: h olding answer 9 February 2009
	 From April 2008, all incapacity benefits claimants have been able to access Pathways to Work on a voluntary basis, including work-focused interviews and a range of back-to-work support.
	From late 2009 we plan to start providing three work-focused interviews to existing incapacity benefit claimants under the age of 25 in Jobcentre Plus led Pathways to Work areas.
	For the majority of existing incapacity benefits customers, the mandatory engagement announced in the White Paper 'Raising expectations and increasing support: reforming welfare for the future' (Cm 7506) will occur once those claimants have been transferred to employment and support allowance between 2010 and 2013. Customers placed in the support group will not be required to undertake any mandatory activities, although they will be able to volunteer for back-to-work support.
	As the exact timing and profile of the transfer of these customers is still being developed, it is not possible to fully answer the question at this point in time.

Industrial Health and Safety: Prosecutions

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many successful prosecutions the Health and Safety Executive brought for breaches of health and safety law by employers that led to a workplace injury in  (a) 2005,  (b) 2006,  (c) 2007 and  (d) 2008.

Jonathan R Shaw: From 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2008, the Health and Safety Executive took the following number of successful prosecution cases against employers for instances of work related injury:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2004-05 380 
			 2005-06 306 
			 2006-07 277 
			 2007-08 274 
		
	
	These figures exclude prosecutions of work related fatalities.

Members: Correspondence

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when his Department plans to respond to the letter of 19 September 2008 from the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight on unemployment and the Isle of Wight economy.

Tony McNulty: A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 26 January 2009.

Members: Correspondence

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  when he expects to reply to the letter of 12 December 2008 from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire on benefits;
	(2)  when the Minister of State plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire of 12 December 2008, on benefits.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 12 February 2009
	A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 11 February 2009.

National Insurance: Foreigners

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many national insurance number registrations have been granted to  (a) non-UK EU and  (b) non-EU citizens in each quarter since 1 April 2005.

Tony McNulty: The available information is in the following table:
	
		
			  National insurance n umber registrations to adult overseas nationals entering the United Kingdom by quarter of regis tration and EU/Non EU status 
			  Thousand 
			   EU Nationals  Non EU nationals 
			  2005   
			 April to June 80.93 68.91 
			 July to September 95.43 75.81 
			 October to December 90.53 68:09 
			
			  2006   
			 January to March 107.64 75.15 
			 April to June 77.39 56.38 
			 July to September 91.04 60.37 
			 October to December 98.64 65.94 
			
			  2007   
			 January to March 153.18 102.44 
			 April to June 99.41 66.63 
			 July to September 121.38 68.46 
			 October to December 108.29 76.67 
			
			  2008   
			 January to March 110.83 80.93 
			 April to June 100.68 74.65 
			  Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest ten and displayed in thousands. 2. There are a small number of registrations where citizens' nationalities are unknown, these are not included. 3. Registration date is derived from the date at which a national insurance number is entered on the National Insurance Recording System. 4. When presenting the EU time series, countries which joined the EU during the time series have been included in the EU for the whole of the time series, to facilitate comparisons over time. 5. The EU time series excludes national insurance numbers registered to UK nationals. 6. The figures do not include any national insurance numbers that may have been issued to young foreign nationals under Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs juvenile registration scheme.  Source:  100 per cent. extract from National Insurance Recording System This information is taken from a table published on the DWP website at: http://83.244.183.180/mgw/final/final/qtr/world/a_stock_r_qtr_c_world_apr08.html

Natural Gas: Safety

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to raise public awareness of the fact that Corgi is no longer the body responsible for gas safety; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: As part of its contract with HSE, Capita are responsible for promoting and communicating the new Gas Safe Register™ brand to installers and the general public. Capita have a Key Performance Indicator to achieve at least 40 per cent. unprompted brand recognition of the New Gas Safe Register™ among gas consumers by the end of October 2009, rising to 75 per cent. by 2011. HSE also plans to communicate directly with gas installers and through the trade press to make clear that, from 1 April 2009, the Gas Safe Register is the only register approved by HSE for gas work under gas safety law, and that the CORGI register will no longer count for these purposes.

Post Office Card Account

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many companies submitted bids for the Post Office Card Account successor contract prior to the cancellation of the tendering process.

Rosie Winterton: Three suppliers submitted bids for the Post Office card account successor contract.

Poverty

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell of 2 February 2009,  Official Report, column 849W, on jobseeker's allowance, if he will estimate the  (a) number and  (b) proportion of households who have someone in work but where the household was in poverty in each of the last five years.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 10 February 2009
	 The information is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Number and proportion of households who have someone in work and have a household income below 60 per cent. of contemporary median income, 2002-03 to 2006-07, before and after housing costs 
			   Before housing costs  After housing costs 
			   Number (million)  Proportion (percentage)  Number (million)  Proportion (percentage) 
			 2002-03 1.5 9 2.1 13 
			 2003-04 1.5 9 2.0 12 
			 2004-05 1.5 9 2.1 13 
			 2005-06 1.6 10 2.3 14 
			 2006-07 1.6 9 2.3 14 
			  Notes: 1. These statistics are based on Households Below Average Income, sourced from the Family Resources Survey. 2. Small changes should be treated with caution as these will be affected by sampling error and variability in non-response. 3. The reference period for Households Below Average Income figures is single financial years. 4. The income measures used to derive the estimates shown employ the same methodology as the Department for Work and Pensions publication "Households Below Average Income" series, which uses disposable household income, adjusted (or 'equivalised') for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living.  5. For the Households Below Average Income series, incomes have been equivalised using OECD equivalisation factors. 6. Numbers of households have been rounded to the nearest hundred thousand households-and proportions have been rounded to the nearest percentage.  Source: Households Below Average Income

Poverty

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Cardiff Central of 20 January 2009,  Official Report, columns 1406-07W, on poverty, if he will provide the same information for 1998-99.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 10 February 2009
	 The information is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Number and risk of working age adults who are not in work living in households with incomes less than 60 per cent. of contemporary median household income, before and after housing costs, Great Britain, 1998-99 
			   Number/percentage 
			  Before housing costs  
			 Number (million) 3.2 
			 Proportion (percentage) 35 
			   
			  After housing costs  
			 Number (million) 4.2 
			 Proportion (percentage) 46 
			  Notes: 1. These statistics are based on Households Below Average Income, sourced from the Family Resources Survey.  2. Small changes should be treated with caution as these will be affected by sampling error and variability in non-response. 3. The reference period for Households Below Average Income figures is single financial years. 4. The income measures used to derive the estimates shown employ the same methodology as the Department for Work and Pensions publication "Households Below Average Income" series, which uses disposable household income, adjusted (or 'equivalised') for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living.  5. For the Households Below Average Income series, incomes have been equivalised using OECD equivalisation factors. 6. Numbers of adults have been rounded to the nearest hundred thousand adults and proportions have been rounded to the nearest percentage. 7. Adults have been classified as workless if they are unemployed or economically inactive. 8. Adults have been classified as being of working age if they are 64 or below for men or 59 or below for women.  Source: Households Below Average Income 
		
	
	The risk of a working age adult who is working being in a low income household in Great Britain in 1998-99 is much lower at 7 per cent., before housing costs and 10 per cent., after housing costs than for workless working age adults, where the equivalent proportions are 35 per cent. (before housing costs) and 46 per cent. (after housing costs) as shown in the aforementioned table.

Social Security Benefits

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to enable Jobcentre Plus customers to receive emergency assistance in addition to provision available under the Social Fund.

Kitty Ussher: In terms of emergency assistance, the social fund provides financial support to vulnerable people in times of genuine need through crisis loans. This type of assistance has first call on the social fund loans budget and all crisis loan applicants who satisfy the eligibility conditions are given an award. Gross expenditure on crisis loans in Great Britain has increased by 31 per cent. between January and December 2007 and January to December 2008.
	From January to December 2008, around 45 per cent. of crisis loan awards in Great Britain were made to people representing hardship before their first benefit payment. The current legal provisions do not specify that an advance payment of benefit can be made in such circumstances. The current welfare reform bill contains powers that will address this point, allowing the consideration of advance payments for this group of people. This will reduce the need for such crisis loans.

Social Security Benefits: Control Orders

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 12 January 2009,  Official Report, column 275W, on control orders, 
	(1)  how many individuals subject to control orders are in receipt of benefits administered by his Department;
	(2)  how much his Department has spent on  (a) incapacity benefit,  (b) jobseeker's allowance,  (c) disability living allowance and  (d) income support in order to assist individuals who are subject to control orders in each year since 2005.

Tony McNulty: The Home Secretary's last quarterly written ministerial statement on control orders, covering the period 11 September to 10 December 2008, was published on 15 December 2008. The figures provided in this report are the latest published figures on control orders. These show that on 10 December 2008 there were nine individuals whom the Home Office cited as being subject to a control order who were in receipt of Department for Work and Pensions administered benefits. Seven individuals were in receipt of jobseeker's allowance only; one was in receipt of incapacity benefit and income support; and one was in receipt of incapacity benefit, income support and disability living allowance.
	The requested information on expenditure is not available other than at disproportionate cost.

Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which medical examination centres in London are contracted by his Department to carry out medical assessments in relation to claims for benefits; which such centres have parking spaces for disabled people; and what requirements his Department makes in respect of the accessibility of such centres to people with disabilities.

Jonathan R Shaw: There are seven medical examination centres in the London area. These are Balham, Highgate, Croydon, Marylebone, Romford, Ealing and Wimbledon. None of these buildings have any car parking facilities. Under the terms of the Medical Services Contract, Atos Healthcare is required to comply with all appropriate legislation in delivering medical services which includes the Disability Discrimination Act. Where a customer's disability would give rise to difficulties in accessing an examination centre Medical Services are required to make alternative arrangements for the examination to take place.

Social Security Benefits: Postal Services

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what recent discussions he had held with Royal Mail on redirecting benefit-related communications sent by his Department; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the effectiveness in reducing benefit fraud and error of the agreement with Royal Mail to redirect benefit-related communication sent to customers by his Department.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 3 February 2009
	 The Secretary of State has not held any recent discussions with Royal Mail regarding redirection of benefit related mail by his Department.
	The Department has not made any recent assessments of the effectiveness of the agreement between Royal Mail and the Department to redirect benefit-related communications.
	However, responses from a recent local authority survey and discussions with local authorities' representatives suggest that it acts as an effective deterrent against fraud.
	Do Not Redirect agreement between Royal Mail and DWP is an anti-fraud measure that applies specifically to local authorities' housing benefit and council tax benefit correspondence.
	I would also like correct previous answers given regarding this matter—16 October 2008,  Official Report, column 1376W and 29 January 2009,  Official Report, column 698W, do not make clear that the agreement with Royal Mail relates to local authority housing benefit and council tax benefit only, it does not apply to any of the benefits administered by the DWP. I apologise to my hon. Friend for this error.

Train to Gain Programme

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the written ministerial statement of 12 January 2009,  Official Report, columns 2-4WS, on support for jobseekers, whether companies which had  (a) made redundancies and  (b) dismissed employees by the date of the Statement are eligible for (i) the funding and (ii) the recruitment subsidy.

Tony McNulty: The Government's intention is that the recruitment subsidy should not be available to companies which have dismissed or made redundant employees. We are currently in discussions with key stakeholders, including employers and unions about the details of the recruitment subsidy scheme and how it will operate.
	All businesses in England which qualify for the recruitment subsidy will be able to access the Train to Gain funding.

Winter Fuel Payments

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people  (a) were eligible for and  (b) received cold weather payments in the week commencing 5 January 2009.

Kitty Ussher: A weather station is said to 'trigger' when the average temperature has been recorded as, or is forecast to be, 0°C or below over seven consecutive days. An eligible customer receives a cold weather payment when the weather station to which the customer's postcode is linked triggers. The number of customers who were entitled to cold weather payments because of triggers notified in the week commencing 5 January 2009 is estimated to be 2.4 million.
	Some customers received two payments based on triggers notified in the week commencing 5 January 2009. This happened if the weather station to which the customer's postcode is linked triggered once for a 'recorded' period of seven consecutive days and once for a 'forecast' period of seven consecutive days.
	Information oh the number of customers who received payments in that week is not available.

Winter Fuel Payments

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much has been spent on cold weather payments in respect of the period of cold weather since 25 December 2008, broken down by weather station area.

Kitty Ussher: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Estimated cold weather payment expenditure in respect of the period of the cold weather from 25 December 2008 to 13 January 2009 by weather station in Great Britain 
			  Weather station  Admin area  Estimated expenditure (£) 
			 Aberporth Ceredigion 117,500 
			 Albemarle Northumberland 3,652,500 
			 Andrewsfield Essex 3,410,000 
			 Aultbea Highland 0 
			 Aviemore Highland 40,000 
			 Bedford Bedfordshire 4,205,000 
			 Bingley West Yorkshire 8,045,000 
			 Bishopton Renfrewshire 5,132,500 
			 Boscombe Down Wiltshire 650,000 
			 Boulmer Northumberland 0 
			 Braemar Aberdeenshire 80,000 
			 Brize Norton Oxfordshire 1,295,000 
			 Cardinham (Bodmin) Cornwall 335,000 
			 Carlisle Cumbria 372,500 
			 Cassley Highland 10,000 
			 Charlwood West Sussex 2,150,000 
			 Charterhall Scottish Borders 0 
			 Chivenor Devon 245,000 
			 Coleshill Warwickshire 15,515,000 
			 Crosby Merseyside 6,792,500 
			 Culdrose Cornwall 0 
			 Dundrennan Dumfries and Galloway 132,500 
			 Dunkeswell Aerodrome Devon 2,040,000 
			 Dyce (Aberdeen airport) Aberdeen 0 
			 Edinburgh Gogarbank Edinburgh 0 
			 Eskdalemuir Dumfries and Galloway 320,000 
			 Filton South Gloucestershire 2,940,000 
			 Heathrow Greater London 14,585,000 
			 Hereford-Credenhill Herefordshire 2,660,000 
			 Herstmonceux West End East Sussex 662,500 
			 High Wycombe Buckinghamshire 1,060,000 
			 Hum (Bournemouth Airport) Dorset 1,900,000 
			 Isle of Portland Dorset 0 
			 Kinloss Moray 745,000 
			 Kirkwall Orkney 0 
			 Lake Vyrnwy Powys 300,000 
			 Leconfield East Riding of Yorkshire 0 
			 Lerwick Shetland 0 
			 Leuchars Fife 1,065,000 
			 Linton on Ouse North Yorkshire 3,472,500 
			 Liscombe Somerset 385,000 
			 Loch Glascarnoch Highland 40,000 
			 Loftus Redcar and Cleveland 0 
			 Lusa Highland 17,500 
			 Lyneham Wiltshire 1,840,000 
			 Machrihanish Argyll and Bute 0 
			 Manston Kent 2,727,500 
			 Marham Norfolk 642,500 
			 Norwich Airport Norfolk 1,260,000 
			 Nottingham Nottinghamshire 6,315,000 
			 Pembrey Sands Carmarthenshire 1,397,500 
			 Plymouth Plymouth 0 
			 Redesdale Northumberland 155,000 
			 Rhyl Denbighshire 835,000 
			 St. Athan Vale of Glamorgan 1,457,500 
			 St. Catherine's Point Isle of Wight 0 
			 Salsburgh North Lanarkshire 377,500 
			 Scilly St. Mary Isles of Scilly 0 
			 Sennybridge Powys 3,375,000 
			 Shap Cumbria 245,000 
			 Shawbury Shropshire 3,235,000 
			 South Famborough Hampshire 3,020,000 
			 Stomoway Airport Western Isles 0 
			 Thorney Island West Sussex 2,825,000 
			 Tiree Argyll and Bute 0 
			 Trawsgoed Ceredigion 170,000 
			 Tulloch Bridge Highland 110,000 
			 Valley Anglesey 0 
			 Waddington Lincolnshire 2,250,000 
			 Walney Island Cumbria 0 
			 Wattisham Suffolk 2,730,000 
			 West Freugh Dumfries and Galloway 0 
			 Wick Airport Highland 0 
			 Wittering Peterborough 1,410,000 
			 Woodford Greater Manchester 10,430,000 
			 Yeovilton Somerset 1,370,000 
			
			 Great Britain — 132,550,000 
			  Notes: 1. The admin area gives the location of each weather station, not the area which is linked to the weather station. For example, Heathrow weather station covers almost all of Greater London, but not all of it, and some areas outside Greater London are linked to Heathrow weather station. 2. The estimates of expenditure are the most recently available, but they are only estimates. 3. The estimates of expenditure have been rounded to the nearest £2,500 (as they are based on estimates of the number of eligible benefit units rounded to the nearest 100 and the payment per week of cold weather is £25).  Sources: 1. Admin areas for weather stations: the Met Office, October 2008. 2. Estimated expenditure: analysis of a scan of benefit recipients eligible for cold weather payments taken at the end of October 2008 and departmental records of triggers.

Anti-Semitism

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps the Government is taking to protect the Jewish community from anti-Semitic attacks; and if she will make a statement.

Sadiq Khan: Following the dramatic rise in anti-Semitic attacks recorded since the onset of the conflict in Gaza, the Secretary of State and I met with representatives from Jewish organisations to provide reassurance that we are taking the action necessary to tackle the recent upsurge in anti-Semitism. The Government will continue to engage with relevant agencies including the Community Security Trust to ensure that the Jewish community is fully protected from the scourge of anti-Semitism.
	The 'All-Party Inquiry into Antisemitism: Government Response One year on Progress Report' published in May 2008 set out the Government's current programme of work to combat anti-Semitism. On 11 February, I attended a ministerial seminar hosted by my hon. Friend the Minister for Culture, Creative Industries and Tourism to discuss the Government's strategy towards tackling anti-Semitism on the internet—this was one of the key commitments set out in the progress report.
	The UK is also taking an international lead in tackling anti-Semitism and hosted a landmark conference in February which brought together MPs and experts from across the globe to tackle anti-Semitism.

Council Housing: Hampshire

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many people are on local authority housing waiting lists in  (a) Winchester and  (b) Hampshire; and what the equivalent figures were (i) five and (ii) 10 years ago.

Sadiq Khan: Information is available on numbers of households rather than people. The number of households registered on local authority housing waiting lists in each local authority, as at 1 April each year, is published on the Communities and Local Government website in Table 600. The latest available data is at April 2008. The link for this table is given below:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/table600.xls
	Local authorities in England report the numbers of households on their housing waiting list as at 1 April in their annual Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix returns. The number of households on local authorities' waiting lists in Hampshire is provided in the following table. This includes numbers for each local authority in Hampshire, including Winchester.
	
		
			  Number of households on the waiting list (excludes households looking for transfers) 
			   April 1998  April 2003  April 2008 
			 Basingstoke and Deane 3,584 4,497 5,633 
			 East Hampshire 2,109 2,238 2,153 
			 Eastleigh 1,169 3,424 5,604 
			 Fareham 669 1,625 1,717 
			 Gosport 1,047 1,412 3,076 
			 Hart 739 970 1,882 
			 Havant 2,220 2,349 4,232 
			 New Forest 1,455 2,428 5,228 
			 Rushmoor 1,290 2,189 3,102 
			 Test Valley 1,768 2,189 3,048 
			 Winchester 1,094 1,237 2,230 
			 Hampshire (administrative) 17,144 24,558 37,905 
			 
			 Portsmouth UA 4,264 5,525 4,562 
			 Southampton UA 3,902 6,697 11,662 
			  Note:  The cities of Southampton and Portsmouth are not included in the administrative Hampshire total.  Source:  Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix (HSSA). 
		
	
	Further information on the number of households on the local authority housing waiting lists for England, can be found in the statistical release "Local Authority Housing Statistics England: 2007-08: Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix (HSSA) and Business Plan Statistical Appendix (BPSA)". This was published on 22 January 2009 on the Communities and Local Government website at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/lahousing200708
	Copies of the statistical release and live table have been deposited in the Library.

Departmental Contracts

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne of 29 October 2008,  Official Report, columns 1137-40W, on departmental contracts, what the  (a) purpose and  (b) project topic is of each consultancy contract in the table provided in the answer.

Sadiq Khan: A revised table showing  (a) purpose and  (b) project topic, has been deposited in the Library of the House.

Departmental Overseas Visits

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the Answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar of 21 April 2008,  Official Report, column 1392W, on departmental overseas visits, how many of the overseas visits were made in order to attend foreign conferences; and what conferences were attended.

Sadiq Khan: Records on overseas visits held in Communities and Local Government (CLG) do not identify separately the number of overseas visits made to attend foreign conferences or information on what conferences were attended. This information can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	All ministerial travel and travel by CLG staff is undertaken in accordance with the "Civil Service Management Code" and the "Ministerial Code".

Departmental Pay

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much her Department has allocated for staff bonuses in 2008-09.

Sadiq Khan: There are three ways in which staff in this Department might be entitled to a non-consolidated award in the financial year 2008-09.
	The Government have accepted a recommendation by the Senior Salaries Review Body that for senior civil servants over the period 2008-11 there should be an indicative envelope, of 7 per cent. of paybill per head, available for normal base pay increases and increasing the non-consolidated performance pot. Under these arrangements, the Department has made non-consolidated payments in 2008-09 to 111 staff at a total cost of £856,392.
	The pay settlement for staff below the senior civil service for 2008-09 has yet to be determined and so we can not provide information in relation to the cost of non-consolidated payments at this time.
	All non-consolidated payments above are funded within existing pay bill controls, have to be re-earned each year against pre-determined targets and, as such, do not add to future pay bill costs.
	In Communities and Local Government, non-consolidated payments are made to those members of staff who are found to have made a significant contribution towards the achievement of the teams, and/or Departments objectives. Individuals are expected to show that they have exceeded the requirements set for the achievement of the objective and have demonstrated exemplary behaviour in doing so.
	Our senior civil service staff members are also assessed against a range of factors, such as:
	The achievement of their Prime Objective which focuses on the way in which they lead, manage and develop their staff;
	Degree to which business objectives are met;
	Delivery for Ministers;
	Demonstration of skills such as judgment, leadership and the PSG skills;
	Effective resource management.
	The Department also operates a scheme for all staff below the senior civil service under which individuals or teams may receive a small non-consolidated award in recognition of an outstanding contribution over a limited period. A formal allocation of funding is not made for this scheme but a limit of 0.2 per cent. of the paybill is placed on expenditure under these arrangements. The maximum payment under these arrangements is £600 but records are not available to show the number of payments made under this scheme in 2008-09.

Eco-Towns: Consultants

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what consultancy advice  (a) the Town and Country Planning Association,  (b) Mr. Jim Duggan and  (c) Mr. David Locke are providing to her Department on eco-towns; and at what cost in each case.

Margaret Beckett: As set out in the written ministerial statement given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Pontefract and Castleford (Yvette Cooper) on 7 March 2007,  Official Report, column 128WS, we asked the Town & Country Planning Association (TCPA) with Professor David Lock, then Chair of the TCPA, to provide further advice on the practical application of the key sustainability and development criteria for eco-towns. More recently the TCPA has continued to advise my Department through developing best practice guidance on the laying out and planning of eco-towns and similar development, and co-ordinating the input of experts to this. This is generic guidance which is publicly available and at no time have TCPA been involved in advising us or assessing any individual eco-town projects.
	To manage any potential conflicts of interest with Professor Lock's role as a planning consultant and Chair of the TCPA at that time, a protocol of roles and responsibilities was drawn up and is publicly available on the TCPA's website. Professor Lock's involvement in advising this Department on eco-towns has only been through the TCPA and their work on the practical application of the key criteria for eco-towns. Professor Lock stood down as Chair of the TCPA last year, having served two terms in that role. In terms of the funding that we provide to the TCPA for this work I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles on 14 January 2009,  Official Report, column 771W.
	Mr. Jim Duggan has not been employed by this Department to provide advice on eco-towns.

Homebuy Scheme: Finance

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to her Department's press release of 15 December 2008 on Homebuy, from which such budget the extra £100 million of funding from the project will come.

Margaret Beckett: In light of the strong response to the scheme from developers, the Government have pledged to make a further £100 million available for Homebuy direct (over and above the £300 million announced in September). This will allow the scheme to help up to 18,000 first-time buyers into home ownership (compared to the 10,000 announced in September). The precise sum that is spent on the scheme will depend on the level of take-up by first-time buyers. Any expenditure over and above the initial £300 million will be drawn from the National Affordable Housing Programme.

Local Government: Public Participation

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent steps the Government has taken to improve facilities for local community use.

Sadiq Khan: The "Communities in Control" White Paper set out the Government's aim to increase the number of people engaged in the running and ownership of local services and assets. More widely, the Department for Communities and Local Government has a range of policies and programmes designed to improve and increase the use of facilities for community use. These include:
	£70 million Communitybuilders programme which will strengthen the resilience of a range of new and existing multi-purpose community-led organisations. These organisations provide facilities for community activities, local services and the development of community enterprise to take place.
	We have established an Asset Transfer Unit, operational from January 2009, building on the work of the Advancing Assets for Communities programme, led by the Development Trust Association (DTA) and its partners.
	A commitment to working with and promoting the role of social enterprises (businesses with primarily social or environmental objectives) which play a key role in empowering local communities through activities such as, managing and supporting community owned assets.
	In addition to this, the Office of the Third Sector run a number of programmes which can be used to increase the use of community facilities including:
	Grass-roots Grants: £130 million providing small amounts of money to enable grass-roots groups to thrive and direct their energies to the particular challenges they see in their local community.
	Futurebuilders: an innovative programme which provides loan and grant-based finance to support third sector organisations develop their delivery of public services.

Mortgage Interest Deferral Scheme

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 29 January 2009,  Official Report, columns 683-84W, on the Mortgage Interest Deferral Scheme, what estimate her Department has made of the cost and take-up of the scheme; when the scheme description commenced; when each remaining stage in devising the scheme descriptors is expected to be completed; when she expects to publish the full impact assessment; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: Our intention to set up a new Homeowner Mortgage Support Scheme was announced by the Prime Minister on 3 December 2008. As part of a much wider package of real help for home owners, the scheme should enable ordinary hard-working households that experience a redundancy or significant loss of income to reduce their monthly payments to a more manageable level, by deferring a proportion of the interest payments on their mortgage for up to two years. The Government will guarantee the lender against a proportion of any loss incurred on the deferred interest payments in case the borrower defaults.
	I wrote to all lenders on 18 December 2008, setting out the proposed scheme design and seeking their views by 14 January. The legal authority to pursue such a scheme was established when the Banking Act gained Royal Assent on 12 February 2009. We are now working closely with the lenders and debt advice agencies to finalise scheme design and agree plans for scheme implementation. Once discussions with the lenders to agree the scheme design have concluded, we will publish an Impact Assessment setting out the cost and anticipated take-up of the scheme. We currently expect the scheme to be up and running in the spring.

Non-Domestic Rates: Ports

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government by what date port businesses are required to make  (a) the first payment of part of their annual assessment and  (b) the first payment towards their arrears from 2005.

John Healey: Local authorities are responsible for the billing and collection of business rates.
	The regulations covering the procedures to be followed (Non Domestic Rating (Collection and Enforcement) (Local Lists) Regulations 1989)) are in the process of being amended to permit the payment of arrears in instalments over up to eight years where appropriate.
	The Business Rates Information Letter (BRIL) 2009/02 providing guidance and information on the impact of the changes was issued 10 February to all English billing authorities, I have placed a copy in the Library of the House.

Non-Profit Making Associations

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will bring forward proposals to improve procurement procedures operated by local authorities in relation to social enterprise.

Sadiq Khan: Social enterprises can play an important role in supporting local authority objectives by bringing dynamism and innovation to the design and delivery of public services. They can also help local authorities achieve more with their money, engage local communities and stimulate new markets.
	In December 2006, Communities and Local Government, alongside other Government Departments, launched "Partnership in Public Services", an action plan for social enterprise and wider third sector engagement with public bodies, including local authorities.
	CLG also published statutory guidance to local government and its key partners earlier this year. "Creating Strong, Safe and Prosperous Communities" states local authorities should recognise and embrace diversity in the way services are provided, with the focus on desired outcomes and not whether the service is delivered by the public, private or third sectors.
	On 9 February 2009, Communities and Local Government, alongside other Government Departments, launched "Real Help for Communities: Volunteers, Charities and Social Enterprises", an action plan to support the third sector and social enterprise during the economic downturn. This highlights measures to improve commissioning and procurement practice including the 'ational Programme for Third Sector Commissioning—which provides training to public sector commissioners to improve their in practices when working with the third sector, including social enterprise—and a national campaign among public sector finance professionals to raise awareness of the Government's commitment to pay invoices within 10 days.

Regional Planning and Development: EC Grants and Loans

Stephen Byers: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much European regional aid structural funding was allocated to England between 2000 and 2006; how much of this funding had been spent by 31 December 2008; whether a request was made to the European Commission to extend the spending deadline beyond that date; and if she will make a statement.

John Healey: The 2000-06 round of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programmes in England were allocated €5793 million. Over 2,900 claims by projects for reimbursement of ERDF expenditure are being processed, more made up to 31 December 2008 are still being received and we do not yet have final figures for any of the 20 English programmes.
	Government did not request extension of the spending deadline for any of the European Structural Funds programmes operating in England.

Regional Planning and Development: South East

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 10 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1843W, on regional development and planning: South East, in which month she expects analysis of responses to the South East plan consultation to be made available; and by what date the regional spatial strategy for the South East will be published.

Sadiq Khan: Our intention to publish an analysis of responses and the Regional Spatial Strategy for the South East remains as stated to the right hon. Member for Guildford, in the answer given on 10 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1843W, that is publication in the spring.

Repossession: Mortgages

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what the  (a) maximum proportion and  (b) cash value is of mortgage interest payments that can be deferred under the mortgage rescue scheme announced on 3 December 2008; and whether capital repayments can be deferred under the scheme;
	(2)  what eligibility criteria will be applied to applicants to the Mortgage Rescue Scheme.

Margaret Beckett: The Government are determined to do everything possible to ensure stability and security for those affected by the downturn in the housing market.
	For the most vulnerable home owners, who would be owed a statutory homelessness duty if repossessed, we opened the Mortgage Rescue Scheme in January 2009. This £200 million scheme will help up to 6,000 households remain in their homes. The scheme is targeted on families, the elderly and other vulnerable households.
	On 3 December 2008, the Prime Minister announced additional support for home owners facing financial difficulties through a new Homeowners Mortgage Support Scheme. The new scheme should enable households that experience a significant and temporary loss of income as a result of the economic downturn to defer a proportion of the interest payments on their mortgage for up to two years, providing they meet the scheme eligibility criteria. The Government will guarantee the lender against a proportion of any loss incurred on the deferred interest payments in case the borrower defaults. The guarantee will not apply to deferred payments of capital.
	I wrote to lenders detailing the proposed key elements of the scheme in December, this letter is available at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/homeownersmortgagesupport
	and we will shortly publish confirmation of the final scheme description.
	Legal authority to proceed with the scheme was obtained in the Banking Act, which received Royal Assent on 12 February 2009.

Apprentices

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales with reference to the answer of 9 July 2008,  Official Report, column 1581W, on apprentices, what progress his Department has made towards meeting its share of the Government's commitment to employ over 1,000 apprentices in central Government departments and agencies in 2008-09; and how many apprentices his Department now employs.

Paul Murphy: The Wales Office is unable to provide apprenticeships due to the small size of the Department and the nature of its work.

Departmental Public Appointments

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which of the public appointments for which his Department is responsible are due to be  (a) renewed and  (b) filled in the next 24 months; what the (i) remit, (ii) salary, (iii) political restriction, (iv) eligibility requirement and (v) timetable for each appointment is; and what records his Department keeps in respect of such appointments.

Paul Murphy: Following the devolution settlement in 1999 responsibility for the majority of public appointments that were made by the Secretary of State for Wales was transferred to the National Assembly for Wales.
	The exception is appointments to the Boundary Commission Wales. More detailed information about individual appointments is set out in the Boundary Commission Wales' Annual Report. Vacancies may be advertised on the Cabinet Office Public Appointments website at:
	www.publicappointments.gov.uk
	The process for making a public appointment, including guidance on political activity and eligibility criteria, follows the Cabinet Office publication "Making and Managing Public Appointments". For appointments regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, the appointments process also complies with the "Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies".
	Copies are in the Libraries of the House.

Alcohol Disorder Zones

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the Answer to the right hon. Member for Beaconsfield of 18 December 2008,  Official Report, column 1069W, on alcohol disorder zones, what assessment she has made of the reasons for no notice of the proposal to designate an alcohol disorder zone having been made to her Department by that date.

Alan Campbell: The Home Office has been clear that an alcohol disorder zone (ADZ) should only be used as a measure of last resort, after all other tools and powers have been tried. ADZs only came into force in June 2008 and we have committed to report to Parliament in June 2009 on how many have been used.

Alcoholic Drinks: Crime

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what data  (a) her Department and  (b) police forces collate on (i) knife crime, (ii) youth crime and (iii) crimes and incidents in which alcohol represents a characteristic or motivating factor.

Jacqui Smith: The police forces of England and Wales will collect data depending on their own operational needs and priorities. The extent of what is collected is likely to be greater than what is requested by the Home Office, and will differ between police forces.
	The Home Office collects crime data in two main ways: crimes recorded by the police; and the British Crime Survey (BCS), a victimisation survey covering adults aged 16 and over, living in private households in England and Wales. In January 2009 the BCS was extended to include under-16s. Other data may be collected on an ad hoc basis; this is included where relevant.
	 Knife Crime
	The Home Office receives aggregated recorded crime data from the police forces for a wide range of offences. Since April 2007, the Home Office began to collect data on the numbers of offences where a knife or sharp instrument has been involved for selected offences: attempted murder; robbery and GBH. This was in addition to homicide, where offences including a knife were already covered by the homicide index collection, a more detailed individual record collection from police forces. The knife crime collection was extended in April 2008 to cover the additional offences of threats to kill, ABH, rape and sexual assault.
	In addition to these returns, a separate data collection has been established as part of the Tackling Knives Action Programme (TKAP). TKAP is a time limited initiative which aims to tackle the possession of knives and knife related serious violence among young people in 10 police force areas in England and Wales. The programme started in June 2008 and is planned to finish in March 2009. A programme of monitoring has been established to assess progress and recorded crime information on knife and sharp instrument related homicide, attempted murder, threats to kill, GBH, ABH, robbery and possession offences are collected from the ten forces. Other information such as the age of victim and suspect and whether the incident is counted as domestic violence are also collected.
	Findings from the TKAP will be published after its completion.
	The BCS collects information on weapons, including knives, used in incidents of violent crime. Figures on the proportion of violent incidents involving knives are published regularly in the annual Crime in England and Wales publication.
	Copies of these publications are available in the House of Commons Library (the most recent publication is Crime in England and Wales 2007/08).
	The Offending, Crime and Justice Survey (OCJS), which ran between 2003 and 2006 and focused on young people aged 10 to 25 living in private households in England and Wales, asked questions on knife carrying. Figures for the proportion of young people aged 10 to 25 who reported carrying a knife in the past year (and further details, including their motivations for doing so) were published regularly in the annual reports on the survey. Annual publications are available on the RDS website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/offending_survey.html
	 Youth crime
	The BCS has covered only adults aged 16 and over until January 2009 when the BCS was extended to cover 10 to 15 year olds.
	The Offending, Crime and Justice Survey (OCJS), which ran between 2003 and 2006 and focused on young people aged 10 to 25 living in private households in England and Wales, asked questions about the experience of young people as both offenders and victims of crime. The results from the surveys have been published in a series of annual publications available on the RDS website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/offending_survey.html
	Police recorded crime does not specifically collect data on youth crime, although age of suspect is recorded in the homicide collection.
	 Alcohol-related crime
	The BCS asks respondents who have been victims of violent crime whether they believed the offender to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. Figures on the proportion of violent incidents where the victim believed the offender to be under the influence of alcohol are regularly published in the annual Crime in England and Wales publication. Copies of these publications are available in the House of Commons Library (the most recent publication is Crime in England and Wales 2007-08).
	Police recorded crime does not specifically collect data on alcohol related incidents, although whether the suspect has been drinking alcohol or not is included in the homicide collection. Furthermore, data on breath tests are collected including how many are positive or refused.

Alcoholic Drinks: Crime

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were charged with each type of alcohol-related offence in (a) the year before and  (b) the year following the introduction of the Licensing Act 2003.

Jacqui Smith: Charging data is not held centrally.

Alcoholic Drinks: Crime

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 16 December 2008,  Official Report, columns 713-4W, on alcoholic drinks: crime, how many of those found guilty of refusing to obey an instruction to stop drinking in a designated public place in each of the last five years received a fine of  (a) up to £100,  (b) £101 to £250 and  (c) over £250.

Jacqui Smith: The number of people fined, and the level of fines received, for refusing to stop drinking and surrender alcohol in a designated public place can be found in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of persons fined for drinking alcohol in a designated public place, by amount, all courts 2007 
			   Up to £100  £101 to £250  Over £250  Total 
			 2003 71 1 1 73 
			 2004 76 2 — 78 
			 2005 61 2 — 63 
			 2006 58 1 — 59 
			 2007 71 4 1 76 
			  Note: These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.  Source: OMS Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice (2003-2006) Ref: AHA378-08 (15 October 2008) (2007) Ref: Sent (OMSAS) 025-09 (4 February 2009)

Alcoholic Drinks: Young People

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) individuals and  (b) establishments have been prosecuted for selling alcohol to under age people in (i) Stroud District Council area, (ii) Gloucestershire and (iii) south west England in each of the last five years.

Alan Campbell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 3 February 2009,  Official Report, columns 1025-1034W. Information held on court proceedings cannot be broken down by council area. The table as referred to holds the data requested broken down by police force area which includes Gloucestershire police force. Data for the south-west region includes Devon and Cornwall constabulary, Dorset police, Avon and Somerset constabulary, Wiltshire constabulary, and Gloucestershire constabulary.

Assaults on Police

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sickness days were taken due to assault in each police force in 2007-08; how many days were lost per police officer on average due to assault in that year; and what the cost to each police force was.

Vernon Coaker: The data provided here on sickness days due to assault are a supplementary series collected on behalf and released with the approval of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC). These data are normally used for inspection purposes only.
	The requested data for 2007-08 are given in the table.
	The requested information on days lost per officer and costs to each force are not collected centrally within the police personnel statistics series.
	
		
			  Number of police officer working days lost due to assaults( 1) : 2007-08 
			   Number 
			 Avon and Somerset 566 
			 Bedfordshire 219 
			 Cambridgeshire 120 
			 Cheshire 75 
			 Cleveland 77 
			 Cumbria (2)— 
			 Derbyshire 143 
			 Devon and Cornwall 188 
			 Dorset (2)— 
			 Durham 138 
			 Dyfed-Powys 154 
			 Essex 252 
			 Gloucestershire 47 
			 Greater Manchester 832 
			 Gwent 122 
			 Hampshire 191 
			 Hertfordshire (2)— 
			 Humberside (2)— 
			 Kent 431 
			 Lancashire 596 
			 Leicestershire (2)— 
			 Lincolnshire 344 
			 London, City of 2 
			 Merseyside 407 
			 Metropolitan Police 5,848 
			 Norfolk 162 
			 Northamptonshire 6 
			 Northumbria 1,075 
			 North Wales 133 
			 North Yorkshire (2)— 
			 Nottinghamshire 179 
			 South Wales (2)— 
			 South Yorkshire 69 
			 Staffordshire 174 
			 Suffolk 208 
			 Surrey 69 
			 Sussex 276 
			 Thames Valley (2)— 
			 Warwickshire 24 
			 West Mercia 354 
			 West Midlands 1,166 
			 West Yorkshire 691 
			 Wiltshire (2)— 
			 (1) Provisional data taken from a supplementary series collected on behalf of HMIC and used for inspection purposes only. Data has not undergone usual quality assurance practices (including validation with individual police forces) and are therefore supplied for information purposes only. (2) Data not available. Force was not able to supply data at the time of collection.

Asylum: Democratic Republic of Congo

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Democratic Republic of Congo nationals have been refused asylum but have not left the UK whilst exercising a right of appeal to remain.

Phil Woolas: Information on how many Democratic Republic of Congo nationals have been refused asylum is published annually and quarterly. Annual figures are available in Table 3.3 of Asylum Statistics United Kingdom.
	Information on how many people have not left the UK while exercising a right of appeal is not available. This is due to the fact that an appellant may leave the UK voluntarily without informing the UK Border Agency. While an appellant is exercising their right of appeal they are not a failed asylum seeker and therefore are not removable until their appeal rights are exhausted.
	Information on persons who it has been established left the UK without informing the immigration authorities in 2005-08 will be published in Tables 7 a-c of the Control of Immigration: Quarterly Statistical Summary, United Kingdom—Q4 2008 bulletin on 24 February 2009. It is not possible to say what stage in the asylum process the returnees have reached at the time they have left the UK.
	Copies of these publications are/will be available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office's Research, Development and Statistics website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-stats.html

British Nationality

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 27 January 2009,  Official Report, column 280W, on British nationality, under what circumstances a requirement to attend a citizenship ceremony would have national security implications sufficient to give grounds to exempt an applicant from attendance.

Jacqui Smith: Citizenship ceremonies are public events often attended by many people. Exemption may be considered appropriate where, for example, it is deemed necessary to protect the identity of the person becoming British and ensure his or her safety.

Children in Care: Missing Persons

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children have gone missing from local authority care in Southampton and the surrounding area in the last 12 months.

Beverley Hughes: I have been asked to reply.
	Information on the number of looked-after-children that have gone missing from Southampton local authority in the year ending 31 March 2008 can be found in table LAB5, taken from the Statistical First Release (SFR 23/2008) entitled 'Children looked after in England (including adoption and care leavers) year ending 31 March 2008'. This table shows the number of looked-after-children who went missing from local authority care during the years ending 31 March 2006 to 2008.
	The SFR is located at:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000810/index.shtml
	and table LAB5 can be found within the excel link labelled third set of additional tables.

Community Relations: Finance

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1277W, on community relations: finance, to whom the £480,000 fee was paid for the copyright of the Kids Taskforce DVD, Watch over Me.

Vernon Coaker: £480,000 was given to the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to pay for the copyright of the Kids Taskforce Watch Over Me DVDs for three years supplemented by 60 training days for teachers and partners. ACPO, DCSF and the Home Office are working with the Kids Taskforce on the national roll out of the DVD.

Crime Prevention

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will place in the Library a copy of the How secure is your home online score card.

Alan Campbell: A copy of the 'How secure is your home?' online score card has been placed in the Library.

Crime: Statistics

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes she plans to make to the national crime recording standard.

Jacqui Smith: There are no current plans to change the National Crime Recording Standard.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the written ministerial statement of 25 November 2008,  Official Report, column 67WS, on the departmental expenditure limit 2008-09, what the reasons were for the reprofiling of £48 million expenditure for the Office for Security and Counter Terrorism programme from 2008-09 to 2009-10.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 22 January 2009
	The reprofiling of the Office of Security and Counter Terrorism £48 million from 2008-09 ensures that the funds available matches its spending forecast for 2009-10.

Deportation: Peterborough

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 27 January 2009,  Official Report, column 284W, on deportation: Peterborough, for what reasons information on the number of residents in Peterborough constituency is not available.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 4 February 2009
	Information on the number of appeals lodged is published quarterly and annually. However, this information does not show who is currently appealing, only the total number of appeals lodged in the particular period. The figures are also not broken down by geographical region. Copies of Asylum Statistics Publications are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics website at:
	www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-stats.html
	The Case Information Database records both appeals and applicant address details. However, it is completely reliant on the quality and timeliness of the information received and input onto the database. Since we cannot ensure that this information meets the rigorous standards applied to published statistics, it is for internal use only by UK Border Agency. Ensuring the information is of sufficient quality to be issued publicly would entail a manual cross checking of a number of individual case files against these figures, which could only be completed at disproportionate cost.

Driving Under Influence

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people aged  (a) between 17 to 25,  (b) between 25 to 40 and  (c) 40 and over were (i) stopped on suspicion of, (ii) arrested for and (iii) charged with drink-driving in (A) Ribble Valley, (B) Lancashire and (C) England and Wales in each of the last five years.

Alan Campbell: holding answer 2 February 2009
	Data is not collected centrally on the number of people stopped on suspicion of an offence or those charged with an offence.
	The arrests collection held by the Home Office is based on aggregate data and covers persons arrested for recorded crime (notifiable offences) only, by age group, gender, ethnicity, police force area and main offence group, for example, violence against the person, sexual offences, robbery, burglary and drugs offences.
	Offences of driving while unfit through drink are summary offences and do not feature in the arrests statistics collected by the Home Office.

Driving Under Influence

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people aged  (a) between 17 and 25,  (b) between 25 and 40 and  (c) over 40 years old were (i) stopped on suspicion of, (ii) arrested for and (iii) charged with drink-driving in (A) Southend, (B) Essex and (C) England and Wales in each of the last five years.

Alan Campbell: Data is not collected centrally on the number of people stopped on suspicion of an offence or those charged with an offence.
	The arrests collection held by the Home Office is based on aggregate data and covers persons arrested for recorded crime (notifiable offences) only, by age group, gender, ethnicity, police force area and main offence group, for example, violence against the person, sexual offences, robbery, burglary and drugs offences.
	Offences of driving while unfit through drink are summary offences and do not feature in the arrests statistics collected by the Home Office.

Drugs: Crime

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the Answer of 1 September 2008,  Official Report, columns 1538-9W, on crime: statistics, how many incidents were recorded by each police force where drugs represented a characteristic or motivating factor in each of the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested has been provided by the National Policing Improvement Agency. The data is only available for 2007-08 and is given in the table. Please note that not all forces were in a position to supply this data for 2007-08.
	It should be noted that these figures relate to the number of (non-notifiable crime) incidents where drugs represented a characteristic or motivating factor i.e. these figures should exclude all incidents which resulted in crimes being notified to the Home Office as part of the recorded crime statistics.
	
		
			  Number of (non-notifiable crime) incidents where drugs represent a characteristic or motivating factor—2007-08 
			  Police force area  Number 
			 Avon and Somerset n/a 
			 Bedfordshire 1,534 
			 Cambridgeshire 1,730 
			 Cheshire 1,452 
			 City of London n/a 
			 Cleveland 1,484 
			 Cumbria 1,370 
			 Derbyshire 1,997 
			 Devon and Cornwall 1,331 
			 Dorset 2,237 
			 Durham 2,180 
			 Dyfed Powys 962 
			 Essex 2,852 
			 Gloucestershire 378 
			 Greater Manchester 10,633 
			 Gwent 2,135 
			 Hampshire 715 
			 Hertfordshire 2,489 
			 Humberside 2,992 
			 Kent 2,457 
			 Lancashire 4,553 
			 Leicestershire 2,679 
			 Lincolnshire 1,033 
			 Merseyside 4,159 
			 Metropolitan Police n/a 
			 Norfolk 2,882 
			 Northamptonshire 861 
			 Northumbria 1,665 
			 North Wales n/a 
			 North Yorkshire 1,755 
			 Nottinghamshire 7,544 
			 South Wales 3,029 
			 South Yorkshire 2,128 
			 Staffordshire 4,274 
			 Suffolk 1,367 
			 Surrey 1,819 
			 Sussex n/a 
			 Thames Valley n/a 
			 Warwickshire 778 
			 West Mercia 748 
			 West Midlands 10,918 
			 West Yorkshire 1,842 
			 Wiltshire 1,977 
			 Total 96,939 
			 n/a = Not available.

Drugs: Crime

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offences of  (a) drug dealing,  (b) drug possession and  (c) unlawful production of drugs were recorded by police forces in each of the last 10 years, broken down by the classification of the drug involved.

Jacqui Smith: The Home Office recorded crime statistics currently collect data on four specific drug offences. These are trafficking in controlled drugs, possession of controlled drugs (cannabis), possession of controlled drugs (other) and other drug offences.
	Possession of cannabis offences have been recorded separately since 2004-05 and are published in Table 2.04 of 'Crime in England and Wales 2007/08/ a copy of which can be accessed at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs08/hosb0708chap2.xls
	With the exception of cannabis possession, the type of drug or drug classification is not collected in the recorded crime statistics.

Fines

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what administrative financial penalties may be levied by her Department and its agencies.

Phil Woolas: The Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 has provided a series of new sanctions for employers who employ illegal migrant workers. This includes a system of civil penalties, under which an employer can be fined up to £10,000 per person he/she is found to be employing illegally.
	Additionally, Bulgarian and Romanian nationals who work illegally commit a criminal offence and may be served with a fixed penalty fine of £1,000 under criminal law.
	Part II of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 enables the Secretary of State to impose a £2,000 fixed charge on any air or sea carrier for each non-European Economic Area passenger they bring to the UK who fails to produce, on request, a valid travel document satisfactorily establishing their identity and nationality and, if required, a valid visa.
	The Department can also impose a civil penalty on those responsible for carrying clandestine entrants. The maximum penalty is £2,000 per clandestine and the aggregated maximum per clandestine (applied where more than one person is responsible) is £4,000.
	The UK Borders Act 2007 enables the Secretary of State to make regulations requiring foreign nationals, who are subject to immigration control apply for an Identity Card for Foreign Nationals. Failure to comply with such a requirement may result in the imposition of a sanction, which may include a civil financial penalty up to a maximum of £1,000.
	The police forces in England and Wales have the power to issue fixed penalty notices as a sanction against a specified list of offences, mainly related to public order (Penalty Notices for Disorder) and motoring.
	For the Department's agencies, no penalties are levied.

Genetics: Databases

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 13 January 2009,  Official Report, column 710W, on genetics: database, what steps she plans to take to comply with the S and Harper judgment in relation to retention of DNA information from people not convicted of a crime.

Alan Campbell: I refer to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 29 January 2009,  Official Report, column 809W.

Human Trafficking: Females

Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent steps she has taken to reduce levels of trafficking of women for sexual exploitation.

Alan Campbell: We continue to make good progress towards the 85 action points contained in our Action Plan to combat trafficking and we shall publish the annual update to this plan later in the year.
	On 17 December 2008, the UK ratified Council of Europe convention on trafficking in human beings. This represents a major milestone in the fight against human trafficking.
	We have introduced proposed legislative changes under the Policing and Crime Bill to make it an offence to purchase sex from a woman controlled for gain or who has been trafficked as part of our strategy to reduce demand for trafficked women.
	In addition to this, the Serious Organised Crime Agency has programmes of activity to combat organised immigration crime including human trafficking focusing on source and transit countries and trafficking into and within the UK.

Immigration: Peterborough

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 27 January 2009,  Official Report, column 283W, on deportation: Peterborough, what fixed datasets are used by the case information database to identify  (a) individual names,  (b) individual postal addresses and  (c) other data; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 3 February 2009
	The case information database uses datasets covering people biometric and biographical data to uniquely establish individual identity and a table of addresses using the post office address finder software, table of address links to specific individuals and a further table which describe why the link is in place. These tables help to check that address data is accurate and up to date as possible and reduce the likelihood of errors throughout the individual journey in the immigration process including deportation information.
	The case information database stores multiple addresses against an applicant for a variety of different uses including correspondence, prison, place of abode, etc. These are then stored either in elements including house name, street name, county etc. or in one block if the address can not be verified against the post office finder software.
	Information on any other data needs to be specific to aid response.

Licensing Act 2003

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effect of the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003 on shift patterns of police officers in  (a) Essex and  (b) England and Wales.

Alan Campbell: The shift patterns of police officers is an operational matter, and as such is for the chief constable to determine. However, the Government published a review of the Licensing Act 2003 in March 2008 which revealed a mixed picture in terms of its impact. The change in opening hours has not led to the widespread problems some people feared. Overall, crime and alcohol consumption are down, but there has been a small increase in alcohol-related violence in the early hours of the morning and some communities have seen a rise in disorder. Our main conclusion is that people are using the freedoms, but people are not sufficiently using the considerable powers granted by the Act to tackle problems,, and that there is a need to rebalance action towards enforcement and crack down on irresponsible behaviour.
	Additionally, we have introduced legislation for a new, mandatory code of practice. This will contain some compulsory national conditions, banning the most irresponsible practices and promotions which encourage people to drink excessively, or promote a binge-drinking culture. This will not affect the majority of businesses, small or large, who behave responsibly—but will target those that don't.
	Further, the Government are funding a £4.5 million enforcement campaign, in addition to existing resources from the police, local authorities, and others, focused on 40-50 priority areas and led by ACPO Commander Simon O'Brien. There is additional funding for the 20 priority PCT areas, and a £10 million investment in national awareness campaigns.

Members: Correspondence

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to answer Question 243530, on fees for identity cards and biometric passports, tabled on 9 December 2008.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 27 January 2009
	 I replied to the hon. Member on 9 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1672W.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to the letter of 29 October 2008 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Ms S. Umak.

Jacqui Smith: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 21 January 2009.

Members: Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects a reply to be sent to the letter of 8 January 2009 from the hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood, to the UK Border Agency regarding Sainey Manneh, Home Office reference number M1300980/3, acknowledgement reference B463/9.

Phil Woolas: The UK Border Agency wrote to my right hon. Friend on 27 January 2009.

National Identity Register: Data Protection

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what forms of access control her Department proposes to use to keep data on the National Identity Register gathered from the information systems of other Departments separate.

Meg Hillier: The information that will be held on the National Identity Register, will be collected during the application process, it will not be made up of an amalgam of existing Government data.

Official Residences

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar of 13 January 2009,  Official Report, column 719W, on official residences, for what reason a home condition report was not purchased.

Phil Woolas: The selling agents did not advise procurement of a home condition report as they consider that the most likely potential purchaser will wish to carry out substantial works to the property and a home condition report would not be likely to materially assist such a purchaser.

Official Residences

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar of 13 January 2009,  Official Report, column 719W, on official residences: whether the property at 62 South Eaton Place was placed on the market before the home information pack was completed and finalised.

Phil Woolas: No. Our agents have confirmed that the home information pack was finalised on 18 September which was the date that the property was made live by them for the purpose of placing it on the market.

Police: Demonstrations

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1674W, on police: demonstrations, how many  (a) assaults by protestors were made and  (b) police vehicles were damaged during the course of demonstrations in support of (i) Palestinians and (ii) Israel; and if she will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: The assaults by protestors and damage to police vehicles took place at and around demonstrations against the invasion of Gaza.

Police: Pay

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the  (a) total and  (b) average overtime bill for police officers in each police force area was in 2007-08.

Vernon Coaker: Estimates for the total cost of overtime for police officers in each police force area are given in the following table. Information on the number of police officers claiming overtime is not available centrally to calculate an average overtime bill.
	
		
			  Total overtime for police officers by police authority,  2007/08 (E stimates) 
			  Police authority  Overtime( 1)  (£000) 
			 Avon and Somerset 4,788 
			 Bedfordshire 2,430 
			 Cambridgeshire 3,276 
			 Cheshire 2,810 
			 City of London 1,831 
			 Cleveland 3,122 
			 Cumbria 705 
			 Derbyshire 3,177 
			 Devon and Cornwall 5,590 
			 Dorset 2,530 
			 Durham 2,520 
			 Dyfed-Powys 1,930 
			 Essex 5,410 
			 Gloucestershire 2,418 
			 Greater Manchester 9,961 
			 Gwent 2,899 
			 Hampshire 9,958 
			 Hertfordshire — 
			 Humberside 4,548 
			 Kent 10,092 
			 Lancashire 5,961 
			 Leicestershire 3,179 
			 Lincolnshire 2,556 
			 Merseyside 6,949 
			 Metropolitan 118,590 
			 Norfolk 2,950 
			 North Wales 1,875 
			 North Yorkshire 3,224 
			 Northamptonshire 1,150 
			 Northumbria 6,980 
			 Nottinghamshire 3,876 
			 South Wales 4,990 
			 South Yorkshire 6,897 
			 Staffordshire 3,778 
			 Suffolk 1,863 
			 Surrey 4,698 
			 Sussex 5,462 
			 Thames Valley 11,177 
			 Warwickshire 2,077 
			 West Mercia 3,186 
			 West Midlands 12,690 
			 West Yorkshire 10,091 
			 Wiltshire 1,746 
			 (1) Included in police officer salaries.  Source: Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) 2007-08. Estimates (2007-08 Actuals not yet available).

Police: Pensions

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the budget of each police force was used to fund pension payments in each of the last 10 years.

Jacqui Smith: The following table gives the proportion of the budget requirement of each police force used to fund pension payments for the first two completed years under the current system of police pensions financing, 2006-07 and 2007-08. The information given for pensions expenditure, both as a figure and as a percentage of the total budget requirement, consists in each case of the employer contributions made in that year. The current system of police pensions financing was introduced in April 2006, whereby each police authority pays employer and officer contributions into a separate account out of which pensions are paid. Where the income into the police authority pensions account from contributions (plus other payments such as inward transfer values) is insufficient to meet the cost of pensions payment, it is topped up by Home Office grant.
	
		
			   2006-07  2007-08 
			  Police force  Budget requirement  Pensions expenditure (audited)  Budget requirement  Pensions expenditure (unaudited) 
			   £  £ ( 1) Percentage  £  £ ( 1) Percentage 
			 Avon and Somerset 236,729,347 26,609,044 11.2 248,854,304 27,126,840 10.9 
			 Bedfordshire 87,335,239 9,209,851 10.5 91,229,000 9,343,132 10.2 
			 Cambridgeshire 110,474,455 11,253,797 10.2 116,008,248 11,345,978 9.8 
			 Cheshire 150,305,000 17,097,000 11.4 157,408,000 17,516,000 11.1 
			 Cleveland 114,975,143 13,156,000 11.4 119,736,908 13,397,000 11.2 
			 City of London 61,206,000 7,555,521 12.3 62,859,000 7,680,183 12.2 
			 Cumbria 90,328,000 9,866,236 10.9 94,029,437 10,095,624 10.7 
			 Derbyshire 145,328,989 15,828,665 10.9 151,564,335 16,321,000 10.8 
			 Devon and Cornwall 246,273,836 27,233,304 11.1 256,803,556 27,958,857 10.9 
			 Dorset 103,055,700 11,725,000 11.4 107,800,000 11,994,000 11.1 
			 Durham 102,583,311 13,414,600 13.1 112,325,160 13,463,100 12.0 
			 Dyfed-Powys 79,892,792 9,574,720 12.0 83,635,989 9,801,996 11.7 
			 Essex 231,985,273 24,944,081 10.8 242,220,179 25,820,000 10.7 
			 Gloucestershire 91,489,400 10,204,573 11.2 95,658,895 10,518,392 11.0 
			 Greater Manchester 503,504,176 61,560,000 12.2 524,128,336 63,300,000 12.1 
			 Gwent 106,054,899 11,508,000 10.9 110,674,143 11,825,000 10.7 
			 Hampshire 269,722,000 28,504,000 10.6 281,925,000 29,655,000 10.5 
			 Hertfordshire 164,225,494 16,114,049 9.8 171,441,072 16,606,894 9.7 
			 Humberside 158,052,928 17,727,481 11.2 164,900,977 18,417,532 11.2 
			 Kent 247,311,000 27,951,117 11.3 257,912,389 28,494,901 11.0 
			 Lancashire 239,533,000 27,749,876 11.6 252,645,000 28,560,673 11.3 
			 Leicestershire 148,270,715 17,331,000 11.7 154,705,856 17,627,000 11.4 
			 Lincolnshire 86,492,378 9,438,985 10.9 90,405,764 9,566,292 10.6 
			 Merseyside 296,426,757 34,293,000 11.6 307,320,130 35,447,000 11.5 
			 Metropolitan 2,425,700,000 254,779,000 10.5 2,532,700,000 262,972,000 10.4 
			 Norfolk 124,672,108 12,502,876 10.0 131,334,638 12,766,800 9.7 
			 Northamptonshire 105,398,000 10,285,737 9.8 110,306,000 10,269,638 9.3 
			 Northumbria 260,475,000 31,863,617 12.2 270,145,176 32,325,376 12.0 
			 North Wales 118,675,632 12,600,000 10.6 124,801,733 12,798,000 10.3 
			 North Yorkshire 122,894,000 12,914,908 10.5 127,634,283 13,083,486 10.3 
			 Nottinghamshire 170,490,070 19,629,000 11.5 177,621,598 19,731,000 11.1 
			 South Wales 222,649,897 25,907,998 11.6 232,098915 26,293,895 11.3 
			 South Yorkshire 230,581,818 25,878,574 11.2 239,624,966 26,283,993 11.0 
			 Staffordshire 164,024,687 18,053,000 11.0 170,861,799 18,543,000 10.9 
			 Suffolk 97,352,382 10,259,000 10.5 101,851,694 10,626,000 10.4 
			 Surrey 172,396,784 14,973,000 8.7 180,592,560 14,683,000 8.1 
			 Sussex 227,247,669 24,036,000 10.6 237,148,000 24,285,000 10.2 
			 Thames Valley 329,137,246 32,224,009 9.8 344,367,127 32,493,512 9.4 
			 Warwickshire 76,560,000 8,198,000 10.7 80,078,926 8,566,000 10.7 
			 West Mercia 176,766,000 18,669,970 10.6 184,296,580 19,374,440 10.5 
			 West Midlands 501,612,139 61,669,907 12.3 521,750,000 63,441,000 12.2 
			 West Yorkshire 380,196,015 43,343,502 11.4 396,047,439 44,519,836 11.2 
			 Wiltshire 91,633,000 9,722,178 10.6 96,022,839 9,915,593 10.3 
			 (1) Pensions expenditure as a percentage of the total budget requirement. 
		
	
	Figures for the years before 2006/07 relate to the previous pay-as-you-go system of financing, under which police pensions were paid out of forces' operating accounts. Information about the level of pensions expenditure net of officer contributions is included in the annual reports published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). This information is gathered independently of the Home Office.

Police: Recruitment

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) applicants and  (b) recruits there were to each police force in 2007-08.

Vernon Coaker: The information is as follows.
	 (a) The requested data are given in Table 1.
	 (b) The requested data are given in Table 2.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number( 1)  of formal application forms( 2)  received by police forces, 2007-08 
			   Number 
			 Avon and Somerset n/a 
			 Bedfordshire 456 
			 Cambridgeshire 21 
			 Cheshire 165 
			 Cleveland n/a 
			 Cumbria 431 
			 Derbyshire 1,310 
			 Devon and Cornwall 463 
			 Dorset n/a 
			 Durham n/a 
			 Dyfed-Powys n/a 
			 Essex 1,262 
			 Gloucestershire n/a 
			 Greater Manchester 4,972 
			 Gwent 1,031 
			 Hampshire 1,968 
			 Hertfordshire 659 
			 Humberside 441 
			 Kent 2,521 
			 Lancashire 4,370 
			 Leicestershire 435 
			 Lincolnshire 1,020 
			 London, City of 850 
			 Merseyside 550 
			 Metropolitan Police 5,498 
			 Norfolk n/a 
			 Northamptonshire 749 
			 Northumbria 2,590 
			 North Wales 346 
			 North Yorkshire n/a 
			 Nottinghamshire 279 
			 South Wales n/a 
			 South Yorkshire 893 
			 Staffordshire n/a 
			 Suffolk n/a 
			 Surrey n/a 
			 Sussex 936 
			 Thames Valley n/a 
			 Warwickshire n/a 
			 West Mercia 1,005 
			 West Midlands 3,451 
			 West Yorkshire 2,149 
			 Wiltshire n/a 
			 n/a = Data not available. Force was not able to supply data at the time of collection. (1) Provisional management information data collected for planning purposes only. Data has not undergone usual quality assurance practices (including validation with individual police forces) and are therefore supplied for information purposes only. (2) Does not include informal expressions of interest. Some forces no longer send out and receive paper application packs and instead receive electronic applications via the www.policecouldyou.co.uk website. Where forces receive application packs from other means it is not always possible to separately identify the number of paper application packs received, and in such cases forces have been instructed to return a zero response. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Police officer recruits( 1)  (FTE)( 2)  to police forces, 2007-08 
			   Number 
			 Avon and Somerset 153 
			 Bedfordshire 79 
			 Cambridgeshire 66 
			 Cheshire 30 
			 Cleveland 43 
			 Cumbria 41 
			 Derbyshire 129 
			 Devon and Cornwall 115 
			 Dorset 40 
			 Durham 21 
			 Dyfed-Powys 48 
			 Essex 238 
			 Gloucestershire 76 
			 Greater Manchester 426 
			 Gwent 61 
			 Hampshire 204 
			 Hertfordshire 189 
			 Humberside 95 
			 Kent 149 
			 Lancashire 182 
			 Leicestershire 98 
			 Lincolnshire 36 
			 London, City of 20 
			 Merseyside 200 
			 Metropolitan Police 966 
			 Norfolk 48 
			 Northamptonshire 82 
			 Northumbria 163 
			 North Wales 45 
			 North Yorkshire 0 
			 Nottinghamshire 47 
			 South Wales 54 
			 South Yorkshire 92 
			 Staffordshire 40 
			 Suffolk 63 
			 Surrey 121 
			 Sussex 180 
			 Thames Valley 245 
			 Warwickshire 0 
			 West Mercia 79 
			 West Midlands 497 
			 West Yorkshire 352 
			 Wiltshire 47 
			 (1) Recruits included those officers joining as Police Standard Direct Recruits and those who were previously Special Constables. This excludes police officers on transfers from other forces and those rejoining. (2) Full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number.

Ports

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how often yellow boxes at small ports are cleared; and how often their contents are analysed.

Jacqui Smith: Yellow boxes (or yacht boxes) used for depositing C1331 forms are emptied by UK Border Force staff working in flexible teams. They are emptied as and when staff are deployed to those locations where boxes are present.
	When the forms have been collected from the yellow boxes, they are sent to a central point for processing and analysing.
	The National Yachtline advises yachtsmen to send the C1331s to a single point in Dover where the data is checked and recorded. The information is then forwarded to Direct taxes to follow up as appropriate.
	HMRC are in the process of updating public Notice 8 Sailing Your Pleasure craft to and from the UK to reflect this current practice.

Proceeds of Crime

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent on managing and liquidating assets recovered by the Serious and Organised Crime Agency under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 in the first nine months of 2008-09.

Alan Campbell: Figures relating to costs incurred for the financial year 2008009 are subject to internal validation within the Serious Organised Crime Agency and will be available after the end of the financial year.

Proceeds of Crime

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 was retained by her Department in the  (a) 2006-07,  (b) 2007-08 and  (c) first nine months of the 2008-09 financial year; to which projects such money was allocated in each year; how much money was allocated to each such project; and how much of the money allocated had not been spent at the latest date for which figures are available.

Alan Campbell: The information available is as follows:
	
		
			   £ million 
			 2006-07 58.13 
			 2007-08 64.8 
			 2008-09 (1)31.1 
			 (1) First six months. 
		
	
	These sums contributed to core Home Office expenditure priorities, including policing and other asset recovery measures. Similar sums were allocated in those periods to the police and other agencies involved in the recovery of criminal assets, under the Asset Recovery Incentive Scheme. Police forces have invested most of their monies from the incentive scheme in further developing their asset recovery and financial investigation capacity, with the funding of financial investigator posts, anti-money laundering teams, and asset recovery operations. In addition some funds were used on local projects to tackle gun and knife crime. The Metropolitan Police Service also made a grant to the Safer London Foundation. Other forces supported a range of community initiatives, including youth projects, road shows, prevention of doorstep crime, over 60s club, and equipment for a faith based community centre. Other agencies have also reinvested their shares in asset recovery activity.
	As at 31 August 2007, £18 million of the total sums allocated to local agencies for performance in 2006-07 had not been spent. As at 31 August 2008, £22 million of the sums allocated for performance in 2007-08 had not been spent. This is mainly due to the fact that allocations for performance in the fourth quarter of a financial year are not made to agencies until the first quarter of the following financial year. No data is available on unspent monies in 2008-09.

Proceeds of Crime

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money was recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 by each law enforcement agency in the first nine months of the 2008-09 financial year; how much of the money recovered was repaid to each such agency; and what steps she takes to monitor the purposes for which such money is allocated by law enforcement agencies.

Alan Campbell: The information available relates to the first six months of the 2008-09 financial year and is set out in the following table. 50 per cent. of all recovered sums are returned to front-line agencies under the Asset Recovery Incentive Scheme. All agencies are required to submit to the Home Office a certified annual return on the use made of their allocations under the scheme.
	
		
			  £ 
			  Force/Agency (A)  Total value of net receipts from confiscation and cash forfeiture orders reported to Home Office April to September 2009  Total allocations under the Asset  Recovery Incentive Scheme for April to September 2009 
			 Avon and Somerset Constabulary 417,856.62 95,853.62 
			 Bedfordshire Police 225,481.62 75,666.64 
			 British Transport Police 61,412.93 23,155.09 
			 Cambridgeshire Constabulary 631,323.03 122,245.50 
			 Cheshire Constabulary 450,455.20 104,116.91 
			 City of London Police 189,011.95 52,843.75 
			 Cleveland Police 547,291.01 172,433.84 
			 Cumbria Constabulary 530,707.73 103,175.08 
			 Derbyshire Constabulary 491,695.66 127,611.69 
			 Devon and Cornwall Constabulary 573,237.47 148,153.02 
			 Dorset Police 1,034,984.24 213,433.10 
			 Durham Constabulary 389,934.58 107,529.83 
			 Dyfed-Powys Police 234,658.88 55,298.74 
			 Essex Police 283,183.95 79,025.27 
			 Gloucestershire Constabulary 794,837.59 174,300.80 
			 Greater Manchester Police 2,357,571.35 699,717.21 
			 Gwent Police 621,539.93 134,337.64 
			 Hampshire Constabulary 750,716.72 192,433.63 
			 Hertfordshire Constabulary 2,101,205.06 447,371.28 
			 Humberside Police 480,969.03 104,922.83 
			 Kent Police 1,279,027.42 304,631.47 
			 Lancashire Constabulary 983,278.54 254,267.68 
			 Leicestershire Constabulary 730,846.95 180,575.27 
			 Lincolnshire Police 121,122.66 30,456.77 
			 Merseyside Police 2,949,819.05 1,233,075.63 
			 Metropolitan Police Service 8,686,670.42 2,919,239.09 
			 Norfolk Constabulary 260,505.84 53,135.59 
			 North Wales Police 236,639.90 56,802.06 
			 North Yorkshire Police 267,838.48 68,922.84 
			 Northamptonshire Police 433,619.09 95,507.32 
			 Northumbria Police 1,249,325.44 330,216.82 
			 Nottinghamshire Police 438,125.26 83,709.43 
			 Police Service of Northern Ireland 350,149.86 171,770.14 
			 South Wales Police 675,730.41 142,450.53 
			 South Yorkshire Police 765,915.67 224,260.96 
			 Staffordshire Police 1,311,210.46 358,510.60 
			 Suffolk Constabulary 467,732.99 101,946.46 
			 Surrey Police 208,088.59 61,928.90 
			 Sussex Police 1,155,398.24 226,798.41 
			 Thames Valley Police 889,648.18 226,823.25 
			 Warwickshire Police 184,465.26 77,953.93 
			 West Mercia Constabulary 199,120.43 75,379.45 
			 West Midlands Police 1,903,050.87 763,766.75 
			 West Yorkshire Police 1,135,317.98 260,869.95 
			 Wiltshire Constabulary 117,805.97 43,812.71 
			 Crown Prosecution Service 0.00 5,628,644.32 
			 HM Courts Service 0.00 4,950,473.78 
			 HM Revenue and Customs 12,432,475.85 4,212,926.55 
			 Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office 0.00 1,226,468.82 
			 Serious Organised Crime Agency 5,264,065.82 1,803,960.88 
			 Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (formerly DTI) 5,148.00 1,930.50 
			 Department for Work and Pensions 1,338,725.72 505,448.79 
			 Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 472,517.23 174,654.82 
			 Serious Fraud Office 575.00 34,063.58 
			 Environment Agency 611,137.68 205,587.55 
			 Ministry of Defence 181,869.15 34,100.47 
			 Office of Fair Trading 353,748.75 132,655.78 
			 UK Border Agency 29,912.54 5,608.60 
			 Northern Ireland Court Service 0.00 11,804.84 
			 Public Prosecution Service (Northern Ireland) 0.00 53,121.81 
			 Department for Social Security (Northern Ireland) 129,161.39 29,061.31 
			 Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency 24,978.39 4,687.55 
			 Royal Mail 46,601.22 7,087.73 
			 Bedfordshire County Council 255,018.28 85,597.04 
			 Birmingham City Council 172,742.99 85,391.17 
			 Bury Metropolitan Borough Council 965.00 361.88 
			 Carmarthenshire County Council 0.00 750.00 
			 City and County of Cardiff 1,003.40 376.28 
			 City of Liverpool Council 183,109.37 68,666.01 
			 City of Stoke-on-Trent 123,659.41 23,186.14 
			 Conwy County Borough Council 2,714.74 509.01 
			 Coventry City Council 44,657.27 16,746.48 
			 Denbighshire County Council 1,246.01 570.38 
			 Derbyshire County Council 425.04 141.68 
			 Gloucestershire County Council 0.00 18,684.38 
			 Hertsmere Borough Council 10,627.44 3,985.29 
			 Lincolnshire County Council 0.00 314.74 
			 London Borough of Redbridge 35,100.00 6,581.25 
			 London Borough of Hillingdon 2,000.00 750.00 
			 Middlesbrough City Council 0.00 35,984.48 
			 Nottinghamshire County Council 0.00 1,593.75 
			 Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council 100,000.00 37,500.00 
			 Rhondda Cynon Taff 0.00 1,279.57 
			 Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames 54,605.77 20,477.16 
			 Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council 0.00 97.88 
			 South Gloucestershire Council 900.00 300.00 
			 Staffordshire County Council 0.00 7,820.98 
			  Notes:  1. Recovery values are shown against investigating agencies. Prosecuting and enforcing agencies are shown with NIL values to avoid double counting.  2. Enforcement of confiscation orders is primarily a matter for Her Majesty's Courts Service.

Public Order

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance she issues to police forces on the grounds on which they may seek cancellation of public events where a threat to public safety is thought to exist; whether such guidance includes provisions on the furnishing to events organisers of the evidence underlying the assessment of any threat to public safety; and if she will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: The Home Office does not issue guidance to police forces on this matter. However, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) inform us that under the Licensing Act 2003, the police may make objections to the granting of a premise's licence on the grounds of four licensing objectives. These include public safety and the prevention of crime and disorder. The police may also make objections to the granting of a temporary event notice solely on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder.
	DCMS has issued guidance to licensing authorities under section 182 of the Act on relevant representations, and also guidance to police officers on the use of closure powers in the Act to deal with disorder or noise nuisance problems on premises. There are no provisions in the guidance for furnishing event organisers of the evidence underlying the assessment of any threat to public safety.

Security: Olympic Games 2012

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Hornchurch of 12 January 2009,  Official Report, column 298W, on Olympic Games 2012: security, if she will break down the budget of 600 million by areas of spending.

Jacqui Smith: Work is continuing to finalise the strategy and plans for the security of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. Decisions on funding will take account of the operational needs of the police and other agencies, affordability within the 600 million funding envelope and the need to secure value for money.

Serious and Organised Crime Agency: Cost Effectiveness

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will make it her policy to publish information on the assets recovery function of the Serious and Organised Crime Agency to enable value for money assessments to be made.

Alan Campbell: Information on the asset recovery function of the Serious Organised Crime Agency will be published as part of its 2008-09 annual report.

Serious Organised Crime Agency

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer given of 19 January 2009, Official Report, column 1239W, on the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), when she expects SOCA to publish its report for the financial year 2008-09; and what assessment she has made of the performance of SOCA during the first six months of 2008-09.

Alan Campbell: The Serious Organised Crime Agency expects to publish its Annual Report in May 2009.
	Home Office ministers have regular meetings with the chair and the director general of the Serious Organised Crime Agency and SOCA provides the Department with a performance report quarterly.

Sexual Assault Referral Centres

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sexual assault referral centres will open in  (a) the next 12 months and  (b) the next five years.

Alan Campbell: There are currently 27 sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) open and a further 10 in development. Of those in development, the Government estimate that five will open within 12 months and an additional three will offer a partial service. By the end of 2010 those offering a partial service will open fully, as will the other two SARCs in development.
	The Home Secretary has made a commitment to have at least one SARC in very police force area by 2011. A bidding round for funding for new and existing SARCs will be announced in April.

Surveillance

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the answer to Lord Stoddart of Swindon of 15 October 2008,  Official Report, House of Lords, column 56WA, on surveillance, what the terms of reference are of the review of public authorities' use of powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000; who is conducting the review; and what evidence is being taken to inform the review.

Vernon Coaker: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced on 16 December that the Government would consult on a number of changes proposed to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA), including which public authorities can use RIPA powers and for what purposes. The consultation is planned for early this year and the outcome of the consultation will also be made public.

Surveillance: Local Authorities

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar of 13 January 2009,  Official Report, column 728W, on surveillance: local authorities, in respect of which public authorities the Investigatory Powers Tribunal made a determination in favour of the complainants; and whether copies of those determinations are held by her Department.

Vernon Coaker: The Home Office is not provided with and does not hold copies of Investigatory Powers Tribunal determinations or details of the public authorities concerned. The Investigatory Powers Tribunal is independent of Government. Under Rule 6(6) of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal Rules (Statutory Instrument 2000 No. 2665) the Tribunal may not, without the consent of the complainant, disclose to any person information or documents provided to it. The Tribunal's website: www.ipt-uk.com gives examples of anonymised rulings following some of its hearings.

Vetting: Apprentices

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many Criminal Record Bureau checks have been processed in respect of employers taking on young apprentices in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  if she will estimate the cost to the public purse of processing the Criminal Record Bureau checks required as a result of the planned expansion of youth apprenticeships; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Hillier: The Criminal Records Bureau does not hold this information. The Disclosure Service is only available for those positions and types of work included in the Exceptions Order (1975) to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The standard and enhanced disclosure process includes checks against the Police National Computer (PNC) and, if applicable, a search against Section 142 of the Education Act 2002, the Protection of Children Act and Protection of Vulnerable Adults (PoCA and PoVA) lists. Enhanced disclosures also contain a further check conducted by police forces for any relevant non-conviction information.
	All individuals who have received a successful offer of employment for a role which brings them into contact with children or vulnerable adults are subject to these checks.

Blood: Donation

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of donated blood was used in each year since 1999. [Official Report, 12 May 2009, Vol. 492, c. 9MC.]

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is not available for the entire time period, as data for full 12 month periods have only been submitted and collated since 2005-06.
	The Blood Stocks Management Scheme (BSMS) was established by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) in 2001 with the aim of understanding and improving blood inventory management across the blood supply chain. Hospitals in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland currently submit data on blood usage to the scheme. However, it is important to note that participation is voluntary, and although the majority of hospitals now submit data to the scheme this has gradually increased since its inception.
	The following table shows the number of hospitals in England and North Wales providing data to the BSMS; the percentage of units transfused; and the percentage of units not transfused in each year since 2005-06:
	
		
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Whole blood donations collected (thousand) 2,039 1,971 1,972 
			 Red cells validated (thousand)(1) 1,939 1,876 1,838 
			 Red cells expired 6 6 3 
			 Red cells issuable 1,933 1,870 1,835 
			 Percentage red cells issuable 94.8 94.9 95.2 
			 Red cells issued (thousand) 1,941 1,873 1,825 
			 Number of hospitals participating(2) 119 119 112 
			 Percentage transfused(3) 97.1 99.8 100.4 
			 Percentage not transfused 2.2 2.2 2.6 
			 (1) A validated unit of red cells is one that has been processed, tested, and labelled/validated as fit for issue to hospitals. (2) Participating hospitals have only been submitting data on units transfused for a full 12 months since 2005-06. (3) Figures stated for the percentage of units transfused and not transfused are based on data submitted by hospitals compared against NHSBT figures for number of units issued. There is a small degree of duplication in submitted data due to the transfer of blood between hospitals, meaning some figures exceed 100.  Source: NHS Blood and Transplant

Continuing Care

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were in receipt of NHS continuing care in each primary care trust in England per  (a) 10,000 weighted heads and  (b) 10,000 unweighted heads since 31 March 2007.

Phil Hope: The requested information for each primary care trust, by 10,000 unweighted population, has been placed in the Library. We are unable to supply information, weighted with respect to population aged over 18, as the population figures are collected in five year groupings.

Departmental Redundancy

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 20 January 2009 , Official Report, column 1370W, on redundancy, what estimate he has made of the annual payroll savings resulting from staff exit schemes in  (a) 2005-06,  (b) 2006-07,  (c) 2007-08 and  (d) 2008-09 excluding the cost of severance packages; and what estimate he has made of the equivalent figures for 2009-10.

Ben Bradshaw: The actual cost of the salaries of staff leaving the Department through exit schemes is set out in the following table:
	
		
			   Total actual salaries cost () 
			 2005-06 1,658,281 
			 2006-07 2,186,516 
			 2007-08 2,880,630 
			 2008-09 (1)674,372 
			 (1) To date. 
		
	
	No estimate has been made for 2009-10.

Departmental Sick Leave

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff in his Department were recorded as having been on sick leave for over 12 months on 31 December in each of the last five years.

Ben Bradshaw: The number of employees in the Department recorded as having been on sick leave for over 12 months on 31 December in each of the last five years is presented in the following table:
	
		
			   Number of employees on sick leave for over 12 months on  31 December 
			 2008  
			 2007 2 
			 2006  
			 2005 1 
			 2004 1

Departmental Translation Services

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many language translators are employed in  (a) each of his Department's executive agencies and  (b) its non-ministerial department; and what the cost of translating services provided by such people was in the latest period for which information is available.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department: and its agencies do not employ language translators. The Department and its agencies purchases translation services from the Central Office of Information and approved suppliers. These services are purchased locally by directorates where required.

Drugs: Rehabilitation

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the number of patients drug treatment programmes which had the capacity to treat  (a) nationwide,  (b) in each region and  (c) in each of the five smallest geographical areas for which figures are available in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: We do not centrally collect information on the capacity of drug misuse treatment services.
	However, as part of their remit to improve the availability and effectiveness of drug treatment, the national treatment agency for substance misuse through the annual drug treatment planning process ensures that all 149 local drug partnerships are commissioning and providing a comprehensive range of drug treatment services that meets the needs of their drug misusing populations.

General Practitioners

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what accountability provisions there are for GPs in the new contract; what requirements there are in GPs to provide explanations for instances where  (a) misdiagnosis and  (b) other forms of mistreatment have occurred; and who is responsible for ensuring that such requirements are met.

Ben Bradshaw: It is for primary care trusts (PCTs) to ensure that those providing NHS primary medical services meet the terms of their contract. There are requirements for those contracts set out in the National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) Regulations 2004, the National Health Service (Personal Medical Services Agreements) Regulations 2004 and the National Health Service Act 2006: Alternative Provider Medical Services Directions 2008. Where a contractor fails to comply with the terms of their contract, the PCT may issue a remedial notice giving the contractor a specified time within which the concerns should be remedied. Where the contractor takes no steps to remedy the matter, the PCT may terminate the contract. In certain circumstances, the PCT may impose sanctions on the contractor.
	There are no contractual requirements for general practitioners (GPs) or GP practices to provide explanation for instances where misdiagnosis and other forms of mistreatment have occurred.
	Under the terms of their contract, GPs are obliged to operate a complaints procedure which allows patients to raise concerns about any matter connected to the provision of services under the contract. Under this procedure, all complaints must be properly investigated and the complainant given a written summary of the investigation and its conclusions. There are also requirements set out in the regulations and directions referred to regarding the qualification of persons who perform services, conditions for employment and engagement of those persons, training, level of skill, appraisal and assessment.
	Professional guidance published by the General Medical Council (GMC) includes an obligation for doctors to share with patients, in a way they can understand, the information they want or need to know about their condition, its likely progression, and the treatment options available to them, including associated risks and uncertainties and to respond to patients' questions and keep them informed about the progress of their care.
	The Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), which rewards GP practices for achieving quality indicators, includes an indicator (Education 4) to reward practices for undertaking a minimum of 12 significant event reviews in the last three years. A significant event occurs when a patient may have been subjected to harm, had the circumstances/outcome been different (near miss). Each review case must consist of a short commentary setting out the relevant history, the circumstances of the episode and an analysis of the conclusions to be drawn. The practice is required to report to the PCT on its analysis and the PCT is expected to discuss the reviews as part of its QOF assessment visit.
	The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) has developed a form to help health care staff report patient safety incidents. These are any unintended or unexpected incidents which could have or did lead to harm for one or more patients receiving NHS-funded health care. NPSA recommend that it should be used as soon as possible after the incident has happened.
	Subject to the outcome of consultation, it is planned that the Care Quality Commission will register all GP practices to a consistent set of essential quality and safety criteria. Registration of primary care practices would help both to drive up the quality of practice-level clinical governance and to enable PCTs to concentrate on overseeing a small number of poor-quality practices.

General Practitioners: Finance

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Answer of 12 January 2009,  Official Report, columns 144-45W, on general practitioners: finance, in which practices the minimum practice income guarantee comprises more than 25 per cent. of total NHS income.

Ben Bradshaw: The list of all those practices with General Medical Services minimum practice income guarantee comprising more than 25 per cent. of their total income is as follows.
	
		
			  Practices with correction factor greater than 25 per cent. of estimated NHS income( 1) 
			   Market forces factor 
			  Practice identifier  Primary care organisation code  PCO name  Pr (patients over 65)  Weighted population  New registrations index  Staff marked forces factor index 
			 5E1A81066 50 North Tees PCT 0.15 3,684 0.98 0.98 
			 5A3L81639 5A3 South Gloucestershire PCT 0.14 1,025 0.97 1.01 
			 5A4F82639 5A4 Havering PCT 0.11 2,524 1.00 1.01 
			 5A8G83068 5A8 Greenwich PCT 0.03 1,582 1.01 1.04 
			 5ANB81671 5AN North East Lincolnshire PCT 0.08 368 0.98 0.96 
			 5C3F84033 5C3 City and Hackney Primary Care Team 0.07 9,777 1.01 1.11 
			 5C3F84119 5C3 City and Hackney Primary Care Team 0.05 7,831 1.02 1.11 
			 5C3F84694 5C3 City and Hackney Primary Care Team 0.04 2,925 0.98 1.11 
			 5C4F84031 5C4 Tower Hamlets Primary Care Team 0.12 10,492 1.00 1.12 
			 5C4F84107 5C4 Tower Hamlets Primary Care Team 0.09 2,604 0.99 1.12 
			 5C5F84671 5C5 Newham Primary Care Team 0.05 1,708 1.01 1.06 
			 5C5F84673 5C5 Newham Primary Care Team 0.03 2,766 1.00 1.06 
			 5F1L83117 5F1 Plymouth Primary Care Trust 0.17 980 1.00 0.96 
			 5GCE81633 5GC Luton 0.06 1,826 1.02 1.02 
			 5HXE85687 5HX Ealing PCT 0.05 1,254 1.04 1.06 
			 5J5P85024 5J5 Oldham Primary Care Trust 0.05 3,406 0.99 0.96 
			 5J5P85622 5J5 Oldham Primary Care Trust 0.04 2,448 0.99 0.96 
			 5K5E84696 5K5 Brent PCT 0.03 1,756 1.02 1.07 
			 5K7F83044 5K7 Camden Primary Care Trust 0.10 4,669 1.04 1.13 
			 5K9H83030 5K9 Croydon Primary Care Trust 0.09 3,147 1.00 1.05 
			 5KLA89012 5KL Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust 0.09 4,563 0.98 0.96 
			 5L1J82663 5L1 Southampton City Primary Care Trust 0.02 2,801 1.07 1.01 
			 5LCE87677 5LC Westminster PCT 0.02 5,647 1.11 1.13 
			 5LCE87691 5LC Westminster PCT 0.00 131 1.09 1.13 
			 5LCE87694 5LC Westminster PCT 0.05 258 1.03 1.13 
			 5LEG85705 5LE Southwark PCT 0.08 4,176 1.06 1.11 
			 5LEY00454 5LE Southwark PCT 0.05 2,285 1.03 1.11 
			 5LFG85711 5LF Lewisham PCT 0.11 1,479 0.99 1.06 
			 5LGH85685 5LG Wandsworth PCT 0.04 1,349 0.99 1.09 
			 5LQG81694 5LQ Brighton and Hove City Teaching PCT 0.03 2,239 1.07 1.01 
			 5M1M85782 5M1 South Birmingham PCT 0.09 1,294 1.04 1.01 
			 5M3Y00228 5M3 Walsall Teaching PCT 0.03 2,327 1.00 0.96 
			 5MKM82607 5MK Telford and Wrekin Primary Care Trust 0.07 2,504 1.01 0.96 
			 5LJB85634 5N2 Kirklees PCT 0.07 2,273 1.00 0.97 
			 5EXC81112 5N7 Derby City PCT 0.14 2,204 0.97 0.96 
			 5EVC84112 5N8 Nottinghamshire County Teaching PCT 0.20 2,866 0.99 0.97 
			 5D5A82038 5NE Cumbria PCT 0.16 3,965 0.99 0.96 
			 5DDA82622 5NE Cumbria PCT 0.01 270 1.09 0.96 
			 5G7P81620 5NH East Lancs PCT 0.18 1,165 0.99 0.95 
			 5E2B82617 5NV North Yorkshire and York PCT 0.29 615 0.97 0.97 
			 5KKB82062 5NV North Yorkshire and York PCT 0.20 2,555 0.98 0.97 
			 5E6B81032 5NX Hull PCT 0.12 3,088 1.00 0.96 
			 5GJE82627 5P3 East and North Hertfordshire PCT 0.09 2,351 1.00 1.02 
			 5GVE82655 5P4 West Hertfordshire PCT 0.08 1,344 1.01 1.05 
			 5L2G82030 5P9 West Kent PCT 0.17 5,544 0.99 1.00 
			 5L2G82234 5P9 West Kent PCT 0.13 4,056 0.99 1.00 
			 5JCC82111 5PA Leicestershire County and Rutland PCT 0.00 8,029 1.09 0.98 
			 5EJC82114 5PC Leicester City PCT 0.17 1,908 1.01 0.98 
			 5EYC82659 5PC Leicester City PCT 0.04 2,785 1.01 0.98 
			 5HTM87613 5PE Dudley Primary Care Trust 0.07 847 0.99 0.97 
			 5HTM87628 5PE Dudley Primary Care Trust 0.06 1,634 0.99 0.97 
			 5HVM87634 5PE Dudley Primary Care Trust 0.04 1,019 1.02 0.96 
			 5HWM83670 5PH North Staffordshire PCT 0.02 3,297 1.12 0.95 
			 5DQM83732 5PK South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust 0.11 992 1.00 0.97 
			 5AGD81629 5PN Peterborough PCT 0.09 3,256 1.01 0.99 
			 5JHD81005 5PP Cambridgeshire PCT 0.07 7,750 1.05 1.05 
			 5JHD81017 5PP Cambridgeshire PCT 0.10 4,631 1.03 1.05 
			 5JHD81037 5PP Cambridgeshire PCT 0.06 6,111 1.04 1.05 
			 5JJD81033 5PP Cambridgeshire PCT 0.13 4,105 0.99 1.03 
			 5GMF81141 5PW North East Essex PCT 0.05 7,641 1.08 0.98 
			 5GMF81746 5PW North East Essex PCT 0.06 1,544 1.01 0.98 
			 5GMY00484 5PW North East Essex PCT 0.10 3,494 1.04 0.98 
			 5GRF81709 5PY South West Essex PCT 0.07 612 1.02 1.02 
			 5DTK84613 5QE Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust 0.04 6,525 1.01 1.03 
			 5DTK84621 5QE Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust 0.05 3,149 1.00 1.03 
			 5FPJ81623 5QM Dorset Primary Care Trust 0.32 1,166 0.99 0.95 
			 5FML82017 5QP Cornwall and Isles of Scilly PCT 0.17 2,133 1.02 0.93 
			   National average 0.15 6,380 1.00 1.00 
		
	
	
		
			 Standardised limited long-standing illness mortality rate 
			  Practice identifier  Primary care organisation code  PCO name  Number of GPs  Nursing and residential home patients index  Practice population Q2 2006-07  Standardised limited long-standing illness  Standardised mortality rate under 65 
			 5E1A81066 50 North Tees PCT 3 1.00 3,968 88.49 65.47 
			 5A3L81639 5A3 South Gloucestershire PCT 1 1.00 1,274 83.71 68.45 
			 5A4F82639 5A4 Havering PCT 1 1.00 2,814 93.45 97.64 
			 5A8G83068 5A8 Greenwich PCT 1 1.00 1,805 120.78 130.44 
			 5ANB81671 5AN North East Lincolnshire PCT 1 1.00 424 115.30 137.48 
			 5C3F84033 5C3 City and Hackney Primary Care Team 7 1 00 10,165 126.76 121.52 
			 5C3F84119 5C3 City and Hackney Primary Care Team 6 1.00 8,158 123.22 121.82 
			 5C3F84694 5C3 City and Hackney Primary Care Team 1 1.00 3,328 127.57 122.79 
			 5C4F84031 5C4 Tower Hamlets Primary Care Team 7 1.00 9,720 133.09 126.46 
			 5C4F84107 5C4 Tower Hamlets Primary Care Team 2 1.00 2,563 134.99 145.41 
			 5C5F84671 5C5 Newham Primary Care Team 1 1.00 1,948 126.25 123.52 
			 5C5F84673 5C5 Newham Primary Care Team 1 1.00 3,638 126.09 133.67 
			 5F1L83117 5F1 Plymouth Primary Care Trust 1 1.00 992 113.99 99.77 
			 5GCE81633 5GC Luton 1 1.00 2,191 96.87 102.21 
			 5HXE85687 5HX Ealing PCT 1 1.00 1,606 83.78 88.85 
			 5J5P85024 5J5 Oldham Primary Care Trust 1 1.00 3,548 141.84 178.74 
			 5J5P85622 5J5 Oldham Primary Care Trust 1 1.00 2,544 145.34 186.32 
			 5K5E84696 5K5 Brent PCT 1 1.00 1,978 116.40 135.77 
			 5K7F83044 5K7 Camden Primary Care Trust 2 1.00 4,233 118.23 157.45 
			 5K9H83030 5K9 Croydon Primary Care Trust 2 1.00 3,900 81.36 82.27 
			 5KLA89012 5KL Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust 1 1.00 4,901 122.84 97.31 
			 5L1J82663 5L1 Southampton City Primary Care Trust 1 1.00 3,726 100.34 107.64 
			 5LCE87677 5LC Westminster PCT 4 1.00 8,856 73.85 78.62 
			 5LCE87691 5LC Westminster PCT 1 1.00 208 89.59 116.65 
			 5LCE87694 5LC Westminster PCT 1 1.00 294 83.63 101.91 
			 5LEG85705 5LE Southwark PCT 1 1.01 4,317 101.06 112.14 
			 5LEY00454 5LE Southwark PCT 1 1.00 2,525 109.44 129.53 
			 5LFG85711 5LF Lewisham PCT 1 1.00 1,524 105.43 138.85 
			 5LGH85685 5LG Wandsworth PCT 1 1.00 1,864 95.35 106.14 
			 5LQG81694 5LQ Brighton and Hove City Teaching PCT 1 1.00 2,626 103.48 149.61 
			 5M1M85782 5M1 South Birmingham PCT 1 1.01 1,472 100.68 99.40 
			 5M3Y00228 5M3 Walsall Teaching PCT 1 1.00 2,741 121.99 133.46 
			 5MKM82607 5MK Telford and Wrekin Primary Care Trust 2 1.00 2,917 114.37 102.23 
			 5LJB85634 5N2 Kirklees PCT 1 1.00 2,578 109.37 126.36 
			 5EXC81112 5N7 Derby City PCT 2 1.00 2,393 99.28 94.44 
			 5EVC84112 5N8 Nottinghamshire County Teaching PCT 3 1.00 3,147 85.31 69.12 
			 5D5A82038 5NE Cumbria PCT 4 1.00 3,831 82.87 91.59 
			 5DDA82622 5NE Cumbria PCT 2 1.00 518 79.78 48.23 
			 5G7P81620 5NH East Lancs PCT 1 1.00 1,076 82.52 98.27 
			 5E2B82617 5NV North Yorkshire and York PCT 1 1.00 538 71.86 63.06 
			 5KKB82062 5NV North Yorkshire and York PCT 2 1.00 2,318 95.61 88.92 
			 5E6B81032 5NX Hull PCT 2 1.00 2,851 128.60 175.00 
			 5GJE82627 5P3 East and North Hertfordshire PCT 2 1.00 2,921 74.07 76.85 
			 5GVE82655 5P4 West Hertfordshire PCT 1 1.00 1,393 101.92 109.61 
			 5L2G82030 5P9 West Kent PCT 3 1.00 5,816 88.61 93.46 
			 5L2G82234 5P9 West Kent PCT 3 1.00 4,252 84.45 95.38 
			 5JCC82111 5PA Leicestershire County and Rutland PCT 3 1.00 13,563 93.51 91.79 
			 5EJC82114 5PC Leicester City PCT 1 1.01 1,843 108.04 116.77 
			 5EYC82659 5PC Leicester City PCT 2 1.00 3,225 126.95 128.46 
			 5HTM87613 5PE Dudley Primary Care Trust 1 1.00 1,024 110.63 111.44 
			 5HTM87628 5PE Dudley Primary Care Trust 1 1.00 1,958 114.97 118.50 
			 5HVM87634 5PE Dudley Primary Care Trust 1 1.00 1,220 124.59 114.34 
			 5HWM83670 5PH North Staffordshire PCT 2 1.00 4,562 105.11 74.95 
			 5DQM83732 5PK South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust 1 1.00 1,144 95.19 96.57 
			 5AGD81629 5PN Peterborough PCT 1 1.00 3,576 99.94 102.45 
			 5JHD81005 5PP Cambridgeshire PCT 5 1.00 10,919 67.63 53.71 
			 5JHD81017 5PP Cambridgeshire PCT 2 1.00 5,310 86.53 86.89 
			 5JHD81037 5PP Cambridgeshire PCT 6 1.00 8,276 76.81 73.43 
			 5JJD81033 5PP Cambridgeshire PCT 4 1.00 4,413 68.87 68.63 
			 5GMF81141 5PW North East Essex PCT 5 1.00 10,042 96.44 73.92 
			 5GMF81746 5PW North East Essex PCT 1 1.00 1,945 96.65 93.22 
			 5GMY00484 5PW North East Essex PCT 1 1.00 3,760 118.37 99.87 
			 5GRF81709 5PY South West Essex PCT 1 1.00 722 94.03 91.73 
			 5DTK84613 5QE Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust 5 1.00 9,217 65.10 64.02 
			 5DTK84621 5QE Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust 2 1.00 4,335 66.35 70.82 
			 5FPJ81623 5QM Dorset Primary Care Trust 1 1.00 1,040 81.74 58.43 
			 5FML82017 5QP Cornwall and Isles of Scilly PCT 2 1.00 2,465 65.12 60.02 
			   National average 3.46 1.00 6,380 102.51 106.25 
			 (1) Characteristic data taken from Quality Outcomes Framework with 2006-07 data  Note: These practices listed whose minimum practice income guarantees comprises more than 25 per cent. of total NHS income have been calculated on a combination of; Global Sum, Correction Factor and Quality Outcomes Framework income and includes an estimate of their Enhanced Services income. It does not include income from other audited datastreams eg information management and technology, premises, seniority and locum payments.

Genetics: Data Protection

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the evidence of his Department's chief scientific adviser to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee on 21 January 2009, what assessment has been made of the merits of withholding DNA information held on a care record from  (a) the police and  (b) the security services.

Ben Bradshaw: All confidential personal patient information held by national health service organisations is subject to access rights set out in statute, most particularly the data protection act 1998 and the access to health records act 1990.
	Disclosure of any information to the police or other agencies is only considered in cases of serious crime or where there are significant risks to other people. The NHS will remain liable to comply with statutory obligations to disclose, but these are always for specific purposes agreed by Parliament, for example to protect public health. Disclosure in these cases is subject to long standing guidelines on the circumstances where the public interest outweighs obligations of confidentiality or to comply with a court order.

Genetics: Data Protection

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the evidence of his Department's chief scientific adviser to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee on 21 January 2009, what assessment has been made of arrangements for the use of DNA information held on care records in  (a) anonymised and  (b) pseudonymised research.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government are developing plans for a health research support service that will provide an appropriate environment for greater use of anonymised and linked anonymised (or pseudonymised) data sets for research. They will also strengthen the arrangements to avoid any breach of confidentiality in types of research requiring the use of information that could identify individuals.
	A programme of work in NHS Connecting for Health (the research capability programme) has been under way since 2007 to facilitate medical research using data derived from patient information, strictly within the bounds of confidentiality. The aim is to realise the research potential of electronic patient records, as described in the Government's health research strategy Best Research for Best Health. Details of the programme are available on line at:
	www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk/systemsandservices/research
	and a copy has already been placed in the Library.
	Research using patient information and DNA information is subject to several types of ethical and regulatory review. The health research support service must comply with the Data Protection Act 1998. The Human Tissue Authority regulates the use of human tissue for research, including analysis of DNA, under the Human Tissue Act 2004. The National Information Governance Board monitors uses of patient information under the NHS Act 2006.
	The Department's evidence to the select committee drew attention to important opportunities for research that will open up if the ethical and regulatory framework can provide for appropriate research access to data sets derived from both patient information and genetic information. No decisions will be taken without proper debate about consent and confidentiality. The plans for a health research support service are being developed with close attention to protecting the confidentiality of sensitive personal information. Improving access to anonymised data sets suitable for research is an important part of these plans.

Health Services: Republic of Ireland

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what recent discussions officials in his Department have had with the Irish government on payments in respect of medical treatment delivered to UK pensioners in the Republic of Ireland; what estimate he has made of the annual sums overpaid to the Irish government in respect of such treatment to date; and what assessment he has made of the reasons for such overpayments;
	(2)  what steps he has taken to recover overpayments to the Irish government in respect of medical treatment delivered to UK pensioners in the Republic of Ireland; and what steps he plans to take to prevent future overpayments.

Dawn Primarolo: Departmental officials have been involved in discussions with Irish counterparts around the size of payments the United Kingdom makes to Ireland under a bilateral health agreement, in line with European Union regulations. As a result of new evidence around how much the UK and Ireland should pay each other under this agreement, it has been agreed that the payments the UK makes, will reduce in future years. Due to the nature of the claims process and the fact that bilateral discussions are ongoing, it is not possible to establish whether any previous payments the UK has made to Ireland, represent overpayments.

Health Services: Waiting Lists

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his most recent estimate is of the average number of days waiting time taken for an  (a) in-patient and  (b) out-patient appointment.

Ben Bradshaw: Latest published figures for the end of December 2008 show the median waiting time for an in-patient admission stands at 32.4 days, compared to 92.4 days in March 1997. The median waiting time for a first out-patient appointment stands at 22 days, compared to 36.5 days in April 2004 when out-patient data was first published.

Health Services: Wales

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to finalise a long-term agreement to replace the interim protocol for cross-border treatment in England and Wales.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government expect to agree a protocol with the Welsh Assembly government as part of the finalisation of NHS business plans for 2009-10.

Hospitals: Admissions

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2009,  Official Report, columns 1759-60W, on hospitals: admissions, what the five most common reasons for emergency admission to hospital for  (a) children and  (b) adults were in each year since 1997.

Ben Bradshaw: The following tables show the five primary diagnosis descriptions having the highest number of emergency hospital admissions recorded for each year 1997-98 until 2006-07, for adults (17+) and children (0-16).
	
		
			  Count of emergency admission episodes for the top five most common primary diagnoses for adults (17+) and children (0-16): Data for years 1997-98 to 2006-07 
			  2006-07 
			Primary diagnosis description 
			 Adults (17+) 1 Pain in throat and chest 
			  2 Abdominal and pelvic pain 
			  3 Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 
			  4 Pneumoniaorganism unspecified 
			  5 Other disorders of urinary system 
			 Children (0-16) 1 Acute upper respiratory infections of multiple and unspecified sites 
			  2 Viral infection of unspecified site 
			  3 Abdominal and pelvic pain 
			  4 Asthma 
			  5 Abnormalities of breathing 
		
	
	
		
			  2005-06 
			Primary diagnosis description 
			 Adults (17+) 1 Pain in throat and chest 
			  2 Abdominal and pelvic pain 
			  3 Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 
			  4 Pneumoniaorganism unspecified 
			  5 Other disorders of urinary system 
			 Children (0-16) 1 Acute upper respiratory infections of multiple and unspecified site 
			  2 Viral infection of unspecified site 
			  3 Abdominal and pelvic pain 
			  4 Acute bronchiolitis 
			  5 Viral and other specified intestinal infections 
		
	
	
		
			  2004-05 
			Primary diagnosis description 
			 Adults (17+) 1 Pain in throat and chest 
			  2 Abdominal and pelvic pain 
			  3 Unknown and unspecified causes of morbidity 
			  4 Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 
			  5 Angina pectoris 
			 Children (0-16) 1 Acute upper respiratory infections of multiple and unspecified sites 
			  2 Abdominal and pelvic pain 
			  3 Viral infection of unspecified site 
			  4 Asthma 
			  5 Viral and other specified intestinal infections 
		
	
	
		
			  2003-04 
			Primary diagnosis description 
			 Adults (17+) 1 Pain in throat and chest 
			  2 Abdominal and pelvic pain 
			  3 Unknown and unspecified causes of morbidity 
			  4 Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 
			  5 Angina pectoris 
			 Children (0-16) 1 Acute upper respiratory infections multiple and unspecified sites 
			  2 Viral infection of unspecified site 
			  3 Abdominal and pelvic pain 
			  4 Fracture of forearm 
			  5 Asthma 
		
	
	
		
			  2002-03 
			Primary diagnosis description 
			 Adults (17+) 1 Pain in throat and chest 
			  2 Abdominal and pelvic pain 
			  3 Angina pectoris 
			  4 Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 
			  5 Unknown and unspecified causes of morbidity 
			 Children (0-16) 1 Acute upper respiratory infections multiple and unspecified sites 
			  2 Viral infection of unspecified site 
			  3 Abdominal and pelvic pain 
			  4 Fracture of forearm 
			  5 Viral and other specified intestinal infections 
		
	
	
		
			  2001-02 
			Primary diagnosis description 
			 Adults (17+) 1 Pain in throat and chest 
			  2 Abdominal and pelvic pain 
			  3 Unknown and unspecified causes of morbidity 
			  4 Angina pectoris 
			  5 Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 
			 Children (0-16) 1 Acute upper respiratory infections multiple and unspecified sites 
			  2 Viral infection of unspecified site 
			  3 Abdominal and pelvic pain 
			  4 Asthma 
			  5 Fracture of forearm 
		
	
	
		
			  2000-01 
			Primary diagnosis description 
			 Adults (17+) 1 Pain in throat and chest 
			  2 Abdominal and pelvic pain 
			  3 Unknown and unspecified causes of morbidity 
			  4 Angina pectoris 
			  5 Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 
			 Children (0-16) 1 Acute upper respiratory infections multiple and unspecified sites 
			  2 Viral infection of unspecified site 
			  3 Abdominal and pelvic pain 
			  4 Asthma 
			  5 Acute bronchiolitis 
		
	
	
		
			  1999-2000 
			Primary diagnosis description 
			 Adults (17+) 1 Pain in throat and chest 
			  2 Abdominal and pelvic pain 
			  3 Angina pectoris 
			  4 Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 
			  5 Unknown and unspecified causes of morbidity 
			 Children (0-16) 1 Acute upper respiratory infections multiple and unspecified sites 
			  2 Abdominal and pelvic pain 
			  3 Viral infection of unspecified site 
			  4 Asthma 
			  5 Fracture of forearm 
		
	
	
		
			  1998-99 
			Primary diagnosis description 
			 Adults (17+) 1 Abdominal and pelvic pain 
			  2 Pain in throat and chest 
			  3 Angina pectoris 
			  4 Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 
			  5 Unknown and unspecified causes of morbidity 
			 Children (0-16) 1 Acute upper respiratory infections multiple and unspecified sites 
			  2 Asthma 
			  3 Viral infection of unspecified site 
			  4 Abdominal and pelvic pain 
			  5 Fracture of forearm 
		
	
	
		
			  1997-98 
			Primary diagnosis description 
			 Adults (17+) 1 Abdominal and pelvic pain 
			  2 Pain in throat and chest 
			  3 Angina pectoris 
			  4 Unknown and unspecified causes of morbidity 
			  5 Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 
			 Children (0-16) 1 Acute upper respiratory infections multiple and unspecified sites 
			  2 Asthma 
			  3 Abdominal and pelvic pain 
			  4 Viral infection of unspecified site 
			  5 Fracture of forearm 
			  Source:  Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health and social care

Independent Reconfiguration Panel

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many requests from overview and scrutiny committees for  (a) proposed and  (b) in progress NHS re-organisations to be referred to the Independent Reconfiguration Panel have been rejected since overview and scrutiny committees were established.

Ann Keen: Regulation 4 of the Local Authority (Overview and Scrutiny Committees Health Scrutiny Functions) Regulations 2002 allows overview and scrutiny committees the power to refer contested local national health service reconfigurations to the Secretary of State for Health.
	My hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health (Mr. Prentice) considers all referrals from overview and scrutiny committees.

Injuries: Firearms

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were  (a) treated in accident and emergency departments and  (b) admitted to hospital for (i) gunshot and (ii) knife wounds in each of the last five years.

Ben Bradshaw: Information on numbers treated in accident and emergency is not available as the information requested is not collected centrally. Information is available on patients who have been admitted to hospital for gunshot wounds and knife woundsfinished admission episodes.
	The data for X99assault by sharp objecthas been included as it is the closest data code for intentional knife wounds. In order to enable comparison data for W26contact with a knife, sword or dagger, has also been provided.
	Reference should be made to all attached notes when reading this response.
	
		
			  Count of finished admission episodes with a gunshot wound or knife related injury by strategic health authority for period 2002-03 to 2006-07national health service hospitals England and activity performed in the independent sector in England commissioned by English NHS 
			   2006-07  2005-06  2004-05  2003-04  2002-03 
			 Gunshot wounds* 1,315 1,233 1,163 1,370 1,287 
			 Contact with knife sword or dagger** 5,284 5,321 4,939 4,921 4,805 
			 Assault by sharp object** 5,720 5,496 5,072 4,774 4,275 
			  Notes: 1. Finished admission episodesA finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. Admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. 2. Cause CodeGunshot* wounds and Knife** related injuries. The cause code is a supplementary code that indicates the nature of any external cause of injury, poisoning or other adverse effects. 3. Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) has used the following ICD-10 external cause codes when referring to gunshot wounds and knife related injuries.  Gunshot wounds*: W32Handgun discharge W33Rifle, shotgun and larger firearm discharge W34Discharge from other and unspecified firearms X72Intentional self-harm by handgun discharge X73Intentional self-harm by rifle, shotgun and larger firearm discharge X74Intentional self-harm by other and unspecified firearm discharge X93Assault by handgun discharge X94Assault by rifle, shotgun and larger firearm discharge X95Assault by other and unspecified firearm discharge Y22Handgun discharge, undetermined intent Y23Rifle, shotgun and larger firearm discharge, undetermined intent Y24Other and unspecified firearm discharge, undetermined intent Y35.0Legal intervention involving firearm discharge Y36.4War operations involving firearm discharge and other forms of conventional warfare  Knife related injuries**: W26Contact with knife, sword or dagger Z99Assault by sharp object  Data Quality: HES are compiled from data sent by over 300 NHS trusts, and primary care trusts (PCTs) in England. Data is also received from a number of Independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain.  Ungrossed Data: Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).  Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health and social care

Injuries: Firearms

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 20 January 2009,  Official Report, columns 1372-78W, on injuries: firearms, how many cases of incidents classified under the  (a) X93,  (b) X94 and  (c) X95 code there were in each hospital in each year.

Ben Bradshaw: Information is not available on the injuries at individual hospital level. The Hospital Episode Statistics collection does provide information by strategic health authority (SHA) of residence.
	The following tables provide data for each of the requested codes for ten years. It should be noted that this list does not constitute the full set of codes used to identify gunshot wounds.
	The structure of SHAs changed for data year 2006-07, with 28 SHAs merging to make just ten. The number of admissions does not represent the number of patients as a patient may have been admitted more than once.
	
		
			  Total number of admissions to hospital where the patient had a cause code of X93( 1)  broken down by strategic health authority of residence for the last 10 yearsActivity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector 
			2006-07  2005-06  2004-05  2003 - 04  2002 - 03  2001-02  2000-01  1999-2000  1998-99  1997-98 
			  Resident in England total 44 42 34 48 46 40 31 27 20 21 
			 Q01 Norfolk. Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Strategic HA  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Q02 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Strategic HA  1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 2 
			 Q03 Essex Strategic HA  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 
			 Q04 North West London Strategic HA  7 5 8 5 5 6 2 1 1 
			 Q05 North Central London Strategic HA  0 0 2 1 1 1 0 2 0 
			 Q06 North East London Strategic HA  1 2 1 7 3 3 1 1 0 
			 Q07 South East London Strategic HA  3 2 4 2 3 3 2 0 0 
			 Q08 South West London Strategic HA  2 2 1 1 1 3 1 2 0 
			 Q09 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Strategic HA  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Q10 County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic HA  2 0 0 3 0 1 1 0 0 
			 Q11 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Strategic HA  1 2 2 0 0 0 3 2 1 
			 Q12 West Yorkshire Strategic HA  7 6 16 16 11 3 7 4 2 
			 Q13 Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic HA  1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Q14 Greater Manchester Strategic HA  4 4 3 1 2 1 6 2 4 
			 Q15 Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic HA  1 2 5 2 2 2 0 3 2 
			 Q16 Thames Valley Strategic HA  0 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 
			 Q17 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic HA  0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 
			 Q18 Kent and Medway Strategic HA  1 2 0 2 1 0 0 0 1 
			 Q19 Surrey and Sussex Strategic HA  0 2 0 1 1 2 0 1 2 
			 Q20 Avon. Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic HA  1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Q21 South West Peninsula Strategic HA  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Q22 Dorset and Somerset Strategic HA  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 
			 Q23 South Yorkshire Strategic HA  0 0 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 
			 Q24 Trent Strategic HA  2 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 
			 Q25 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Strategic HA  2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Q26 Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic HA  1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 
			 Q27 Birmingham and the Black Country Strategic HA  2 2 1 0 6 1 2 0 1 
			 Q28 West Midlands South Strategic HA  1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Q30 North East SHA 0  
			 Q31 North West SHA 11  
			 Q32 Yorkshire and The Humber SHA 10  
			 Q33 East Midlands SHA 2  
			 Q34 West Midlands SHA 7  
			 Q35 East of England SHA 0  
			 Q36 London SHA 12  
			 Q37 South East Coast SHA 2  
			 Q38 South Central SHA 0  
			 Q39 South West SHA 0  
			 U EnglandNot otherwise specified 0 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 
			  Other unknown/foreign SHAs 2 2 3 1 1 2 0 1 0 2 
		
	
	
		
			  Total number of admissions to hospital where the patient had a cause code of X94( 1)  broken down by strategic health authority of residence for the last 10 yearsActivity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector 
			2006-07  2005-06  2004-05  2003-04  2002-03  2001-02  2000-01  1999-2000  1998/99  1997/98 
			  Resident in England total 52 51 51 49 54 61 48 61 42 49 
			 Q01 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Strategic HA  0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 
			 Q02 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Strategic HA  2 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 
			 Q03 Essex Strategic HA  0 1 1 2 0 1 6 2 0 
			 Q04 North West London Strategic HA  1 5 4 6 3 3 2 1 3 
			 Q05 North Central London Strategic HA  3 2 1 0 4 0 1 1 2 
			 Q06 North East London Strategic HA  4 3 3 3 0 4 3 2 2 
			 Q07 South East London Strategic HA  3 1 3 5 0 5 0 2 1 
			 Q08 South West London Strategic HA  1 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 
			 Q09 Northumberland. Tyne and Wear Strategic HA  1 0 1 4 1 2 3 3 2 
			 Q10 County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic HA  2 0 1 1 1 3 1 2 1 
			 Q11 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Strategic HA  4 2 2 1 4 1 1 5 1 
			 Q12 West Yorkshire Strategic HA  7 7 11 12 13 12 11 6 7 
			 Q13 Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic HA  0 0 1 2 0 0 1 0 1 
			 Q14 Greater Manchester Strategic HA  4 2 2 7 7 3 2 4 4 
			 Q15 Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic HA  4 7 4 1 4 3 2 0 1 
			 Q16 Thames Valley Strategic HA  1 1 0 2 2 1 1 0 0 
			 Q17 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic HA  0 0 3 0 0 2 1 1 0 
			 Q18 Kent and Medway Strategic HA  1 3 0 0 2 0 1 1 3 
			 Q19 Surrey and Sussex Strategic HA  0 1 1 0 4 2 1 4 2 
			 Q20 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic HA  0 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 2 
			 Q21 South West Peninsula Strategic HA  0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 
			 Q22 Dorset and Somerset Strategic HA  3 0 1 0 3 0 1 0 0 
			 Q23 South Yorkshire Strategic HA  1 4 1 1 1 0 6 2 1 
			 Q24 Trent Strategic HA  1 3 2 0 3 2 2 0 4 
			 Q25 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Strategic HA  2 0 1 1 0 1 2 2 5 
			 Q26 Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic HA  0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 
			 Q27 Birmingham and the Black Country Strategic HA  4 3 3 0 5 2 7 1 4 
			 Q28 West Midlands South Strategic HA  1 3 0 0 2 1 2 1 0 
			 Q30 North East SHA 3  
			 Q31 North West SHA 14  
			 Q32 Yorkshire and The Humber SHA 8  
			 Q33 East Midlands SHA 4  
			 Q34 West Midlands SHA 8  
			 Q35 East of England SHA 3  
			 Q36 London SHA 9  
			 Q37 South East Coast SHA 2  
			 Q38 South Central SHA 0  
			 Q39 South West SHA 1  
			 U EnglandNot otherwise specified 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 
			  Other/unknown/foreign SHAs 2 0 0 1 2 3 1 1 1 2 
		
	
	
		
			  Total number of admissions to hospital where the patient had a cause code of X95( 1)  broken down by strategic health authority of residence for the last 10 yearsActivity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector 
			2006-07  2005-06  2004-05  2003-04  2002-03  2001-02  2000-01  1999-2000  1998-99  1997-98 
			  Resident in England Total 125 127 122 134 119 119 75 82 51 66 
			 Q01 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Strategic HA  0 2 1 0 2 2 1 1 0 
			 Q02 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Strategic HA  2 0 4 2 1 1 2 0 1 
			 Q03 Essex Strategic HA  0 0 1 2 0 3 1 3 1 
			 Q04 North West London Strategic HA  14 6 7 5 6 5 7 1 6 
			 Q05 North Central London Strategic HA  3 3 3 0 3 3 1 1 4 
			 Q06 North East London Strategic HA  6 3 6 7 8 2 4 4 0 
			 Q07 South East London Strategic HA  24 15 14 15 10 10 3 6 2 
			 Q08 South West London Strategic HA  4 3 5 3 0 0 5 2 4 
			 Q09 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Strategic HA  1 6 2 1 5 5 6 3 3 
			 Q10 County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic HA  0 0 3 3 3 1 4 4 3 
			 Q11 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Strategic HA  1 0 3 3 1 2 1 0 0 
			 Q12 West Yorkshire Strategic HA  4 5 10 8 19 5 3 3 3 
			 Q13 Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic HA  3 2 3 1 1 1 1 2 3 
			 Q14 Greater Manchester Strategic HA  13 11 13 8 11 9 11 3 9 
			 Q15 Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic HA  12 18 16 9 14 5 7 3 7 
			 Q16 Thames Valley Strategic HA  2 3 3 2 2 3 2 2 0 
			 Q17 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic HA  0 0 2 0 0 1 1 1 0 
			 Q18 Kent and Medway Strategic HA  3 2 7 3 5 0 0 0 1 
			 Q19 Surrey and Sussex Strategic HA  5 3 1 1 0 2 7 0 1 
			 Q20 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic HA  8 8 1 7 1 3 1 2 2 
			 Q21 South West Peninsula Strategic HA  2 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 
			 Q22 Dorset and Somerset Strategic HA  0 0 0 1 1 1 0 2 0 
			 Q23 South Yorkshire Strategic HA  6 4 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 
			 Q24 Trent Strategic HA  2 3 7 8 4 2 1 1 2 
			 Q25 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Strategic HA  1 2 0 3 1 1 0 1 0 
			 Q26 Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic HA  1 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 
			 Q27 Birmingham and the Black Country Strategic HA  8 15 11 24 17 6 8 4 11 
			 Q28 West Midlands South Strategic HA  0 8 5 0 0 0 2 0 0 
			 Q30 North East SHA 6  
			 Q31 North West SHA 29  
			 Q32 Yorkshire and The Humber SHA 13  
			 Q33 East Midlands SHA 4  
			 Q34 West Midlands SHA 18  
			 Q35 East of England SHA 8  
			 Q36 London SHA 31  
			 Q37 South East Coast SHA 9  
			 Q38 South Central SHA 2  
			 Q39 South West SHA 5  
			 U EnglandNot otherwise specified 0 2 0 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 
			  Other/unknown/foreign SHAs 4 3 3 1 3 9 2 4 2 1 
		
	
	
		
			   Report title  X93  X94  X95 
			 Q01 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire HA   2 
			 Q02 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire HA 1  1 
			 Q03 Essex HA  1 3 
			 Q04 North West London HA 6 3 5 
			 Q05 North Central London HA 1  3 
			 Q06 North East London HA 3 4 2 
			 Q07 South East London HA 3 5 10 
			 Q08 South West London HA 3 0  
			 Q09 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear HA  2 5 
			 Q10 County Durham and Tees Valley HA 1 3 1 
			 Q11 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire HA  1 2 
			 Q12 West Yorkshire HA 3 12 5 
			 Q13 Cumbria And Lancashire HA   1 
			 Q14 Greater Manchester HA 1 3 9 
			 Q15 Cheshire and Merseyside HA 2 3 5 
			 Q16 Thames Valley HA 2 1 3 
			 Q17 Hampshire and Isle Of Wight HA 1 2 1 
			 Q19 Surrey and Sussex HA 2 2 2 
			 Q20 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire HA   3 
			 Q22 Dorset and Somerset HA   1 
			 Q23 South Yorkshire HA   1 
			 Q24 Trent HA  2 2 
			 Q25 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland HA  1 1 
			 Q26 Shropshire and Staffordshire HA   1 
			 Q27 Birmingham and The Black Country HA 1 2 6 
			 Q28 Coventry, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire HA 1 1  
			 Y Not known  1 2 
			  Other/unknown/foreign SHAs 2 3 9 
			  Notes:   Ungrossed data Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (ie the data are ungrossed).  Finished admission episodes A finished admission episode is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one health care provider. Finished admission episodes are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.  Cause Code(1)( )The cause code is a supplementary code that indicates the nature of any external cause of injury, poisoning or other adverse effects. Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) has used the following ICD-10 external cause codes as requested for this parliamentary question. It should be noted that this is not the full list of codes used to identify gunshot wounds and so the data should not be used to illustrate this. X93Assault by handgun discharge X94Assault by rifle, shotgun and larger firearm discharge X95Assault by other and unspecified firearm discharge.  Data quality HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) in England. Data is also received from a number of independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain.  PCT/SHA data quality PCT and SHA data was added to historic data years in the HES database using 2002-03 boundaries, as a one-off exercise in 2004. The quality of the data on PCT of treatment and SHA of treatment is poor in 1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99, with over a third of all finished episodes having missing values in these years. Data quality of PCT of general practitioner (GP) practice and SHA of GP practice in 1997-98 and 1998-99 is also poor, with a high proportion missing values where practices changed or ceased to exist. There is less change in completeness of the residence-based fields over time, where the majority of unknown values are due to missing postcodes on birth episodes. Users of time series analysis including these years need to be aware of these issues in their interpretation of the data.  Assessing growth through time HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. The quality and coverage of the data have improved over time. These improvements in information submitted by the NHS have been particularly marked in the earlier years and need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. Some of the increase in figures for later years (particularly 2006-07 onwards) may be due to the improvement in the coverage of independent sector activity. Changes in NHS practice also need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. For example, a number of procedures may now be undertaken in outpatient settings and may no longer be accounted for in the HES data. This may account for any reductions in activity over time.   Source:  Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health and social care.

Maternity Services

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the  (a) name and  (b) postcode location of each maternity unit in England listed on the NHS choices website is.

Ann Keen: The NHS Choices service, launched in June 2007, is the Department's and national health services primary online service to the public for health related information and advice. All data records published via NHS Choices, including 254 NHS Maternity Units with their contact and location details, are freely available to the public via the NHS Choices website at:
	www.nhs.uk.
	The name and postcode location of each maternity unit in England listed on NHS Choices has been placed in the Library.

Mental Health Services: Elderly

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much he plans to provide for  (a) commissioning of specialist in-reach services from older people's community mental health teams to work in care homes and  (b) specification and commissioning of other in-reach services.

Phil Hope: The Department provides funding for primary care trusts (PCTs) to commission or provide healthcare for their local populations from national health service or independent sector providers. PCTs are responsible for ensuring that adequate healthcare provision exists in their localities, including healthcare provision for the community mental health teams to work in care homes and on the specification and commissioning of other in-reach services.
	It is for each PCT to decide how much to spend on the provision or commissioning of any specific treatment or service. In reaching their decisions, PCTs will need to take into account the overall funding of 150 million already announced to support implementation of the National Demential Strategy in 2009-10 and 2010-11 and of the NHS operating framework.

MMR Vaccine

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to increase Measels, Mumps and Rubella vaccination rates amongst children under 16 years of age.

Dawn Primarolo: In August 2008, the Department announced the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine catch-up programme aimed at any child up to the age of 18 who has never been vaccinated with the MMR vaccine and any child who has had only one of the two MMR vaccine doses.
	To support the campaign the Department has provided extra funding to primary care trusts (PCTs) with PCTs outside London having their funding limits increased by 30,000 and London PCTs' funding limits increased by 60,000. The Department has also sourced additional supplies of vaccine, provided technical support to general practitioners to help them identify children who have not received the MMR vaccine and provided additional online reports to PCTs to help them monitor the effectiveness their catch-up programmes.
	The Department held meetings with both strategic health authorities and PCT immunisation co-ordinators, Regional Directors of Public Health and Directors of Performance to emphasise the importance of reducing measles cases through improving vaccination uptake.
	A public relations campaign is planned to be implemented and rolled out shortly. Key messages will include how serious and infectious measles is and how it's never too late to have the MMR vaccine. A measles leaflet has already been placed in the Library and is available at:
	www.immunisation.nhs.uk

NHS Direct

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his Answer of 3 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1109W, on NHS Direct, what the average cost to his Department of a NHS Direct call is; and what proportion of this cost relates to  (a) staffing and  (b) infrastructure.

Ben Bradshaw: The average cost of a call to NHS Direct's 0845 46 47 line was 25.53 for 2007-08. Of this cost, staffing accounts for 63 per cent. (15.96) and other costs account for 37 per cent. (9.37).
	The breakdown of these other costs is provided in the following table:
	
		
			  Service  Proportion (percentage)  Value () 
			 Premises 20 1.87 
			 IT 37 3.47 
			 Telecommunications 14 1.31 
			 Establishment expenses 9 0.84 
			 Consultancy services 7 0.66 
			 Other 13 1.22 
			 Total 100 9.37 
			  Note: These figures do not account for other calls to services provided to national and local commissioners, e.g. calls to The Appointments Line (formerly the Choose and Book Appointments Line) and locally commissioned services.  Source: NHS Direct

NHS Treatment Centres: Private Sector

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether people may be recruited to work in independent sector treatment centres if they have been employed in the NHS during the previous six months; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: All Independent Sector Treatment Centre (ISTC) providers can employ any clinician regardless of their previous national health service engagement with the exception of a six-month restriction on those occupations listed on the Shortage Professions List.
	However, ISTC providers can employ NHS clinicians (including those on the Shortage Professions List) during their non-contracted hours, provided they obtain the agreement of the NHS employer body.

NHS: Drugs

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many medicines use reviews have been conducted by pharmacies in each year since 2005-06; what estimate he has made of the average cost of conducting a medicines use review; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: The number of medicine use reviews (MURs) provided by accredited pharmacists are published in table 8 (table 10 in 1996-97 to 2005-06) of the annual bulletins General Pharmaceutical Services in England and Wales published by the Information Centre for health and social care.
	Copies of the bulletins for 1996-97 to 2005-06, 1997-98 to 2006-07 and 1998-99 to 2007-08 have been placed in the Library.
	Under the community pharmacy contractual framework, a fee per MUR is payable to contractors providing the service up to a maximum of 400 MURs per pharmacy in any financial year (except for pharmacies which have not made arrangements before 1 October, in which case payment will be made to a maximum of 200 MURs per pharmacy in the first year). The fee payable per MUR since the introduction of the service is as follows:
	
		
			   Fee payable per MUR () 
			 From April 2005 25 
			 From October 2007 27 
			 From October 2008 28

NHS: Energy

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what plans to reduce energy consumption in the NHS are in place;
	(2)  what target he has set for the reduction of energy consumption in the NHS.

Phil Hope: Under the requirements of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Climate Change Programme, the Department set mandatory energy/carbon efficiency targets on the national health service in England to:
	reduce the level of primary energy consumption by 15 per cent. or 0.15 million tonnes carbon from March 2000 to March 2010;
	achieve a target of 35-55 GigaJoules/100 cubic metres (cu.m) energy efficiency performance for the health care estate for all new capital developments and major redevelopments or refurbishments; and
	achieve a target of 55-65 Gj/100 cubic metres (cu.m) for all existing facilities.
	The Department monitors progress towards achievement using the Estates Returns Information Collection (ERIC) system and monitors progress towards the mandatory targets. Although significant progress was being made against, the targets there remained scope for the NHS to maintain progress. To assist an Energy and Sustainability Capital Fund has been provided and is anticipated to generate significant carbon and revenue savings.
	In January 2009, the newly formed NHS Sustainable Development Unit published their NHS Carbon Reduction Strategy, which supports the Government's Climate Change Act 2008 target of 80 per cent. greenhouse gas reduction by 2050 with 26 per cent. carbon dioxide reduction by 2020. It goes further by challenging the NHS to aim for an interim reduction of 10 per cent. from 2007 to 2015.

NHS: Energy

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the total amount of energy used by  (a) his Department and  (b) the NHS in each of the last five years.

Phil Hope: The following table shows the total energy consumption for the Department in each of the last five years.
	
		
			   Total energy consumption (MWh) 
			 2003-04 19,121 
			 2004-05 19,824 
			 2005-06 18,090 
			 2006-07 16,176 
			 2007-08 16,241 
		
	
	The following table shows the total energy consumption reported by the national health service in each of the last five years. The data relating to total energy consumption and occupied floor area has been extracted from the Department's Estates Returns Information Collection (ERIC) system.
	
		
			   Total energy consumption (MWh)  Occupied floor area (m( 2) )  Average Energy Consumption (KWh/m( 2) ) 
			 2003-04 12,765,382 25,813,941 494 
			 2004-05 12,441,322 25,428,351 489 
			 2005-06 12,566,507 25,529,693 492 
			 2006-07 12,446,516 25,486,209 488 
			 2007-08 12,702,494 26,331,121 482 
		
	
	The occupied floor area has increased by 517,180 m(2) over this time period while total energy consumption has decreased by 62,888 MWh indicating an improvement in how energy is utilised within the NHS.

NHS: Private Finance Initiative

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  which private contractors have withdrawn from NHS private finance initiative contracts in the last 12 months; what the contract was in each case; and what the monetary value of the contract was in each case;
	(2)  what assessment his Department has made of the effects of the economic downturn on hospital private finance initiative projects;
	(3)  what hospital building projects are planned to be completed in each of the next 10 financial years;
	(4)  which hospital private finance initiative projects are waiting for approval from HM Treasury; and on what date each was first submitted to the Treasury for approval;
	(5)  what data his Department collects to monitor progress on hospital building projects;
	(6)  what new hospitals have been built since 1997; when each was opened; how each was funded; and what the current capital asset value of each is;
	(7)  how many of the 100 new hospitals referred to in the NHS Plan have opened; on what date each opened; and how much capital expenditure there was on each;
	(8)  how many of the 100 new hospitals referred to in the NHS Plan have not yet opened; when each is expected to be opened; and how much capital expenditure there will be on each.

Ben Bradshaw: Information on the hospital schemes which have opened or begun construction (with their expected opening date) since 1997, with the capital construction cost of each, has been placed in the Library.
	The private finance initiative (PFI) schemes in the list are currently accounted for as off balance sheet and are not therefore accounted as an asset by trusts. The national health service is in the process of determining of the value these assets which will be disclosed in their 2009-10 accounts under the new international financial reporting standards (IFRS) which apply to public sector accounts with effect from 2009-10. In respect of the public capital funded schemes, the total asset value of land and buildings for each trust is held centrally, but these are aggregate values which do not separately identify individual capital investment projects.
	The 2000 NHS Plan set a target of opening 100 new hospital schemes by 2010. At the time of the NHS Plan, 69 schemes had already been given the go aheadall but three of these schemes have opened (these three are currently under construction). The NHS Plan identified another 18 schemes to go ahead in the next two years under the PFI, bringing the total at the time to 87 schemes; the target of 100 was set in anticipation of more schemes being given the go ahead in future years. For example in addition to the 18 future PFI schemes identified in the NHS Plan, another 11 PFI schemes were given the go ahead shortly afterwards. Since then a number of other PFI and public capital funded projects have also proceeded and opened, which means that the NHS Plan target of opening 100 new hospital schemes was achieved in October 2008.
	The information placed in the Library identifies both PFI and public capital schemes currently under construction and which are due to be completed (open) in the next 10 years. Schemes developing PFI proposals and actively preparing an initial outline business case (OBC) or currently in procurement, are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Commissioning body  OBC approved/OBC to be submitted for approval  Estimated total capital value  ( million) 
			 Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust 2009 143 
			 North Bristol/South Gloucestershire PCTs (1) 475 
			 Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust 2009 61 
			 Sandwell and West Birmingham Acute NHS Trust 2009 368 
			 West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust 2010 280 
			 East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust 2010 110 
			 Papworth Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 2009 160 
			 Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital NHS Trust 2009 235 
			 Mersey Care NHS trust 2009 170 
			 Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust 2009 477 
			 (1) OBC approved May 2007 Financial close expected before the end of 2009 
		
	
	Proceeding to financial close and construction for these schemes is dependant on business cases being submitted and approved. It is too early to provide financial close and opening milestone dates for these schemes apart from the most advanced, North Bristol/South Gloucestershire primary care trusts (PCTs), where an expected financial close date is given.
	The Government's policy continues to be that PFI and other public private partnerships should be used to deliver public services when this offers value for money. This is assessed on a case by case basis at the appropriate approval point for each scheme. The North Bristol/South Gloucestershire PCTs is the only health sector PFI scheme in the market at the moment and the two consortiums competing to be appointed preferred bidder have held discussions about current economic conditions and have factored this into their bids as part of the competitive process. No bidding consortium (which includes the prime contractor) has withdrawn from competition on an NHS PFI scheme in the last 12 months.
	None of these schemes is awaiting approval from Treasury. The business case for the appointment of the preferred bidder at North Bristol/South Gloucestershire PCTs is expected to be submitted to the Department in April or May this year; it will need subsequent approval by Treasury.
	There are a further four public capital hospital building schemes timetabled to begin construction in the next financial year (2009-10), subject to approval of their full business cases. No information is held centrally on the expected pipeline of public capital funded schemes for 2010-11 or later years.
	The Department monitors the progress of all hospital building schemes (i.e. both PFI and public capital) in terms of the major project milestone dates (business case approval dates, financial close and opening) and collects and collates the appropriate information as it becomes available.

Nutrition: Screening

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will include the conduct of nutritional screening in the next version of the quality and outcomes framework; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department has asked the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to oversee a new independent and transparent process for developing and reviewing Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) clinical and health improvement indicators for England from 1 April 2009 as part of their role in providing guidance for the NHS based on evidence of clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness. We launched a public consultation on the proposed new process on 30 October 2008. The consultation ended on 2 February. Subject to the outcome of that consultation, any proposal for further changes to QOF indicators would need to be considered under that new process. The Department has no current plans to ask NICE to consider the conduct of nutritional screening by general practice within the QOF.

Nutrition: Screening

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department last issued guidance to health and social care organisations on the details of weight and height measuring equipment used for nutritional screening.

Dawn Primarolo: On 4 August 2008, the Department of Health and Department for Children, Schools and Families published The National Child Measurement Programme Guidance for PCTs: 2008/09 school year. This guidance included information on measuring the height and weight of children in reception (aged four to five years) and year 6 (aged 10 to 11 years). Guidance was also issued in July 2008 on Weighing Scales for the National Child Measurement Programme.
	Both documents are available at:
	http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Healthimprovement/Healthyliving/DH_073787
	Copies have been placed in the Library.
	The National Child Measurement Programme is one element of the Government's work programme on childhood obesity. The data collected is used to inform local planning and delivery of services for children; and gather population-level surveillance data to allow analysis of trends in growth patterns and obesity.

Patient Choice Schemes

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 10 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1938W, on patient choice schemes, how many people were referred to first outpatient appointments in each primary care trust area in January 2009; and what the equivalent figures were for January 2008.

Ben Bradshaw: The figures for the number of patients referred to a first consultant-led outpatient appointment following a referral by their general practitioner (GP) in each primary care trust (PCT) from January 2009 have not been published yet. The pre-announced date for publication is 27 February 2009. However, the following table shows figures for January 2008 and December 2007 and December 2008.
	
		
			  Organisation n ame  December 2007  January 2008  December 2008 
			 Ashton, Leigh and Wigan PCT 4,438 5,864 4,933 
			 Barking and Dagenham PCT 2,338 3,060 2,693 
			 Barnet PCT 6,288 6,568 6,745 
			 Barnsley PCT 3,159 4,502 4,175 
			 Bassetlaw PCT 1,610 2,334 1,854 
			 Bath and North East Somerset PCT 1,785 2,863 2,657 
			 Bedfordshire PCT 5,000 6,540 6,658 
			 Berkshire East PCT 3,343 4,642 4,752 
			 Berkshire West PCT 4,055 5,343 5,620 
			 Bexley Care Trust 1,855 2,364 2,399 
			 Birmingham East and North PCT 3,665 5,266 5,542 
			 Blackburn with Darwen PCT 2,083 2,661 2,613 
			 Blackpool PCT 1,687 2,266 2,228 
			 Bolton PCT 3,785 5,260 4,918 
			 Bournemouth and Poole Teaching PCT 4,295 6,205 5,073 
			 Bradford and Airedale Teaching PCT 4,465 5,817 6,349 
			 Brent Teaching PCT 3,789 5,047 5,006 
			 Brighton and Hove City PCT 3,494 5,469 4,878 
			 Bristol PCT 4,346 5,965 5,986 
			 Bromley PCT 4,654 6,295 5,254 
			 Buckinghamshire PCT 5,242 6,995 6,339 
			 Bury PCT 2,659 3,610 3,201 
			 Calderdale PCT 2,664 3,672 2,748 
			 Cambridgeshire PCT 5,523 7,711 7,999 
			 Camden PCT 3,298 4,047 3,565 
			 Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT 5,579 7,290 6,216 
			 Central Lancashire PCT 6,103 8,748 8,167 
			 City and Hackney Teaching PCT 4,025 4,310 4,034 
			 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly PCT 5,947 8,018 8,510 
			 County Durham PCT 6,551 8,665 7,572 
			 Coventry Teaching PCT 4,252 3,018 5,356 
			 Croydon PCT 3,556 4,894 4,759 
			 Cumbria Teaching PCT 6,435 9,108 8,269 
			 Darlington PCT 1,112 1,588 1,408 
			 Derby City PCT 3,491 4,495 4,097 
			 Derbyshire County PCT 8,625 11,437 10,216 
			 Devon PCT 8,380 10,721 9,545 
			 Doncaster PCT 3,632 5,183 4,630 
			 Dorset PCT 5,263 7,203 6,032 
			 Dudley PCT 3,920 5,586 5,244 
			 Ealing PCT 5,196 6,830 5,938 
			 East and North Hertfordshire PCT 6,574 8,159 7,369 
			 East Lancashire Teaching PCT 5,447 7,287 6,663 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire PCT 3,986 5,296 4,914 
			 East Sussex Downs and Weald PCT 5,231 6,714 6,740 
			 Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT 8,564 11,163 9,851 
			 Enfield PCT 3,288 3,899 4,545 
			 Gateshead PCT 3,104 4,184 3,252 
			 Gloucestershire PCT 6,093 8,116 7,352 
			 Great Yarmouth and Waveney PCT 3,409 6,383 4,053 
			 Greenwich Teaching PCT 2,268 3,199 3,046 
			 Halton and St Helens PCT 4,485 5,882 5,014 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham PCT 2,328 3,105 2,472 
			 Hampshire PCT 15,207 20,343 17,383 
			 Haringey Teaching PCT 3,313 4,658 3,812 
			 Harrow PCT 2,390 3,300 3,098 
			 Hartlepool PCT 954 1,475 1,208 
			 Hastings and Rother PCT 2,619 3,355 3,245 
			 Havering PCT 2,894 3,420 2,884 
			 Heart of Birmingham Teaching PCT 2,964 5,018 3,865 
			 Herefordshire PCT 2,147 2,004 2,448 
			 Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale PCT 2,987 3,956 3,235 
			 Hillingdon PCT 3,333 4,509 3,828 
			 Hounslow PCT 3,780 4,043 2,885 
			 Hull Teaching PCT 3,819 4,893 4,345 
			 Isle of Wight NHS PCT 2,085 2,677 2,482 
			 Islington PCT 2,983 3,817 3,014 
			 Kensington and Chelsea PCT 2,303 2,772 2,605 
			 Kingston PCT 2,010 2,509 2,320 
			 Kirklees PCT 5,100 6,370 5,881 
			 Knowsley PCT 2,407 3,503 3,159 
			 Lambeth PCT 3,153 4,742 4,903 
			 Leeds PCT 8,382 10,278 10,786 
			 Leicester City PCT 3,753 4,991 4,494 
			 Leicestershire County and Rutland PCT 7,474 10,379 8,728 
			 Lewisham PCT 2,747 4,411 4,192 
			 Lincolnshire Teaching PCT 9,815 12,351 12,116 
			 Liverpool PCT 6,311 8,844 7,293 
			 Luton PCT 2,623 2,623 2,993 
			 Manchester PCT 7,570 10,376 9,218 
			 Medway PCT 4,307 4,925 4,640 
			 Mid Essex PCT 4,124 5,072 4,804 
			 Middlesbrough PCT 1,622 2,244 2,009 
			 Milton Keynes PCT 2,207 2,884 3,002 
			 Newcastle PCT 3,426 4,478 3,498 
			 Newham PCT 4,680 5,595 3,764 
			 Norfolk PCT 8,728 11,830 12,792 
			 North East Essex PCT 3,194 3,877 3,249 
			 North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus 1,801 2,421 2,125 
			 North Lancashire Teaching PCT 4,136 5,697 4,885 
			 North Lincolnshire PCT 1,918 2,350 2,264 
			 North Somerset PCT 2,480 2,996 2,968 
			 North Staffordshire PCT 2,635 3,641 3,273 
			 North Tyneside PCT 2,817 3,701 3,180 
			 North Yorkshire and York PCT 9,340 11,676 10,111 
			 Northamptonshire Teaching PCT 7,074 8,883 7,763 
			 Northumberland Care Trust 3,831 5,138 4,291 
			 Nottingham City PCT 3,369 4,487 3,934 
			 Nottinghamshire County Teaching PCT 8,205 10,269 9,068 
			 Oldham PCT 2,945 3,908 3,297 
			 Oxfordshire PCT 6,131 8,208 6,433 
			 Peterborough PCT 1,700 2,355 2,360 
			 Plymouth Teaching PCT 3,173 3,874 4,000 
			 Portsmouth City Teaching PCT 2,997 3,648 3,271 
			 Redbridge PCT 3,065 4,171 4,490 
			 Redcar and Cleveland PCT 1,367 1,926 1,724 
			 Richmond and Twickenham PCT 2,370 3,231 2,773 
			 Rotherham PCT 3,123 4,290 3,827 
			 Salford PCT 3,129 4,370 3,419 
			 San Dwell PCT 4,332 6,136 3,852 
			 Sefton PCT 4,203 5,432 5,651 
			 Sheffield PCT 7,696 10,166 8,565 
			 Shropshire County PCT 2,593 3,446 3,441 
			 Solihull Care Trust 1,919 2,662 2,792 
			 Somerset PCT 6,403 8,047 6,720 
			 South Birmingham PCT 5,393 7,156 5,911 
			 South East Essex PCT 4,130 5,693 5,566 
			 South Gloucestershire PCT 2,582 3,419 2,938 
			 South Staffordshire PCT 8,199 10,688 9,775 
			 South Tyneside PCT 2,321 2,999 2,727 
			 South West Essex PCT 5,072 6,864 5,623 
			 Southampton City PCT 2,228 3,266 2,994 
			 Southwark PCT 3,105 4,073 4,087 
			 Stockport PCT 3,987 5,186 4,572 
			 Stockton-on-Tees Teaching PCT 2,116 3,038 2,448 
			 Stoke on Trent PCT 3,474 4,349 4,150 
			 Suffolk PCT 7,260 9,412 8,967 
			 Sunderland Teaching PCT 3,538 4,828 3,843 
			 Surrey PCT 12,343 14,914 14,910 
			 Sutton and Merton PCT 4,580 6,584 7,613 
			 Swindon PCT 1,992 2,465 3,292 
			 Tameside and Glossop PCT 3,341 4,577 3,875 
			 Telford and Wrekin PCT 1,116 1,301 2,047 
			 Torbay Care Trust 1,532 1,955 2,090 
			 Tower Hamlets PCT 3,023 3,245 3,303 
			 Trafford PCT 3,740 4,631 4,300 
			 Wakefield District PCT 4,324 5,046 5,261 
			 Walsall Teaching PCT 3,873 4,895 4,105 
			 Waltham Forest PCT 2,376 3,666 3,933 
			 Wandsworth PCT 5,074 6,769 6,182 
			 Warrington PCT 1,938 2,746 2,197 
			 Warwickshire PCT 6,871 8,851 6,230 
			 West Essex PCT 4,490 4,570 4,001 
			 West Hertfordshire PCT 5,977 9,140 6,579 
			 West Kent PCT 7,990 10,063 9,979 
			 West Sussex PCT 8,710 11,851 10,765 
			 Western Cheshire PCT 3,492 4,877 3,905 
			 Westminster PCT 3,316 4,055 3,636 
			 Wiltshire PCT 5,690 7,371 6,925 
			 Wirral PCT 4,076 5,745 4,502 
			 Wolverhampton City PCT 3,353 4,635 4,013 
			 Worcestershire PCT 7,335 12,287 8,120 
			  Note:  General practitioner referrals for 1(st) outpatient appointment by primary care trust.  Source:  MARCOM

Pharmacy

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many community pharmacies there were  (a) in total and  (b) per 100,000 population in (i) England (ii) each primary care trust;
	(2)  how many community pharmacies were under contract with their local primary care trust on  (a) 31 March 2006,  (b) 31 March 2007 and  (c) 31 March 2008 to provide local enhanced services (i) in England and (ii) in each primary care trust area; and how many in each category provided (A) all local enhanced services, (B) anti-coagulant monitoring, (C) diseases specific medicines management, (D) gluten-free food, (E) home delivery, (F) language access, (G) medication reviews, (H) medications assessment and compliance support, (I) minor ailment schemes, (J) needle and syringe exchanges, (K) on-demand availability of specialist drugs, (L) out-of-hours services, (M) patient group direction, (N) prescriber support, (O) screening, (P) stop smoking services, (Q) supervised administration and (R) supplementary prescribing.

Phil Hope: Details of the number of pharmacies in contract with primary care trusts (PCTs) at 31 March 2008 are contained in table 2 of the annual bulletins 'General Pharmaceutical Services in England and Wales' published by the Information Centre for health and social care. Breakdowns by PCT are in the online appendices.
	The number of community pharmacies in contract with PCTs to provide local enhanced services is not collected centrally. Table 6 of the bulletins (table 9 in 1996-97 to 2005-06) lists the total number of local enhanced services provided by pharmacy contractors in contract with PCTs. An individual pharmacy contractor may offer more than one locally enhanced service. Again, breakdowns by PCT are in the online appendices.
	Copies of the 'General Pharmaceutical Services in England and Wales' bulletins and associated online appendices for 1996-97 to 2005-06, 1997-98 to 2006-07 and 1998-99 to 2007-08 have been placed in the Library.
	Copies are also available on the NHS Information Centre website:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/publications/pharmserv9808/General%20Pharmaceutical%20Services%20in%20England%20and %20Wales%202007_08%20PCT%20LHB%20level%20Appendix.xls
	www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/publications/pharmserv9808/General%20Pharmaceutical%20Services%20England%20and%20 Wales%202007-08.pdf

Social Care: Research

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what academic studies he has commissioned as part of the drafting of the Green Paper on Social Care;
	(2)  when he plans to publish the Green Paper on Social Care.

Phil Hope: The Department has commissioned two academic studies to inform the green paper process. The purpose of one piece of work, being undertaken by the personal social services research unit, is to make projections of likely future demand for long-term care and associated expenditure under a range of different funding scenarios. The other piece of work, undertaken by Les Mayhew of Cass Business School, concerns the financial products that could potentially support private contributions in a new care and support system.
	The Government intend to publish the Green Paper on care and support reform in spring 2009.

Transplant Surgery: Foreigners

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 14 January 2009,  Official Report, columns 826-7W, on transplant surgery: foreigners, 
	(1)  how many of those receiving organs survived beyond the point of their three month check-up;
	(2)  whether the transplantations listed were fully funded by the NHS.

Ann Keen: The following tables show overseas residents transplanted in UK NHS hospitals who (a) died within three months; (b) survived beyond three months; and (c) no three month follow-up information available:
	
		
			  Organ and (ocular) tissue transplants in the UK where the recipient is recorded as being resident outside the UK( 1) , by trust of transplanting hospital, April 1998 to March 2008, where patient died within three months of transplant 
			  Trust  Kidney  Heart  Lung(s)  Heart/lungs  Liver  Cornea  Sclera  Total 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust 
			 Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust 
			 Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust 24   24 
			 Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 2   2 
			 West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust 
			 Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust11 
			 Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust 
			 St. Mary's NHS Trust 
			 Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 
			 Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust 20   20 
			 University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 
			 Barts and the London NHS Trust 
			 Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust  1  1 
			 Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 
			 Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust 
			 Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust 
			 Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 
			 Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust 
			 King's College Hospital NHS Trust 30   30 
			 St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust 
			 Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust 
			 Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust 
			 North Bristol NHS Trust 
			 Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust 
			 Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust 
			 University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust 5   5 
			 University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust 
			 The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust 
			 Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust 
			 Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust 
			 Lothian University Hospital NHS Trust 2   2 
			 Tayside University Hospitals NHS Trust 
			 Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust 
			 Total  1  1 83   85 
			 (1) Residents of the Republic of Ireland not included. 
		
	
	
		
			  Organ and (ocular) tissue transplants in the UK where the recipient is recorded as being resident outside the UK( 1) , by trust of transplanting hospital, April 1998 to March 2008, where patient known to be alive three months post transplant 
			  Trust  Kidney  Heart  Lung(s)  Heart/lungs  Liver  Cornea  Sclera  Total 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust 22   4 
			 Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust  1  1 
			 Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust 92   92 
			 Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 18(2)   18 
			 West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust 
			 Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust  1 1 24 
			 Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust 
			 St. Mary's NHS Trust 3   3 
			 Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 
			 Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust 179   80 
			 University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 1   1 
			 Barts and the London NHS Trust 1   1 
			 Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust 9 2  11 
			 Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 
			 Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust 1   1 
			 Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust  1  1 
			 Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust  1  1 
			 Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust 3   3 
			 King's College Hospital NHS Trust 298(3)   298 
			 St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust 4   4 
			 Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust 
			 Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust 1   1 
			 North Bristol NHS Trust 
			 Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust 
			 Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust  1  1 
			 University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust 128   29 
			 University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust 
			 The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust 
			 Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust 1   1 
			 Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust 3   3 
			 Lothian University Hospital NHS Trust 
			 Tayside University Hospitals NHS Trust 
			 Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust 
			 Total 31 3 1 2 517 4  558 
			 (1 )Residents of the Republic of Ireland not included. (2) Includes one liver/kidney/pancreas transplant. (3) Includes one liver/kidney transplant. 
		
	
	
		
			  Organ and (ocular) tissue transplants in the UK where the recipient is recorded as being resident outside the UK( 1) , by trust of transplanting hospital, April 1998 to March 2008, where no three month follow-up information is available 
			  Trust  Kidney  Heart  Lung(s)  Heart/lungs  Liver  Cornea  Sclera  Total 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust 2   2 
			 Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust 
			 Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust 40 1  41 
			 Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 
			 West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust  1  1 
			 Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust 
			 Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust  1  1 
			 St. Mary's NHS Trust 1   1 
			 Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust  1  1 
			 Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust 1   1 
			 University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 
			 Barts and the London NHS Trust 
			 Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust 4 3 2 9 
			 Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust  22 7 29 
			 Hammersmith Hospitals NHS trust 
			 Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust  7  7 
			 Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust  9  9 
			 Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust 2 1  3 
			 King's College Hospital NHS Trust 29   29 
			 St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust  3  3 
			 Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust 1   1 
			 Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust 
			 North Bristol NHS Trust 1   1 
			 Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust  1  1 
			 Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust 
			 University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust 33   6 
			 University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust 1   1 
			 The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust  1  1 
			 Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust 
			 Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust 2   2 
			 Lothian University Hospital NHS Trust 
			 Tayside University Hospitals NHS Trust  1  1 
			 Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust  1  1 
			 Total 1674 53 9 152 
			 (1 )Residents of the Republic of Ireland not included. 
		
	
	Information as to whether the transplantations listed were fully funded by the NHS is not collated centrally.

Transplant Surgery: Foreigners

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 14 January 2009,  Official Report, columns 826-27W, on transplant surgery: foreigners, how many transplants of each type or organ have taken place in  (a) private hospitals and  (b) private units within NHS trusts and foundation trusts in each of the last 10 years.

Ann Keen: The following table shows the number of transplants to overseas residents in the United Kingdom units which the National Transplant Database has recorded as private hospitals, April 1998 - March 2008:
	
		
			  Transplant type  1998- 9 9  1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002 -03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  Total 
			 Kidney 0 3 1 4 4 2 3 2 3 3 (1)25 
			 Liver 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 (1)1 
			 Cornea 2 2 7 9 3 4 2 0 1 0 30 
			 Sclera 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 
			 Total 2 5 8 13 9 6 5 3 4 3 58 
			 (1) From living donor 
		
	
	Pursuant to the answer given on 14 January 2009,  Official Report, columns 826-27W, information is not collated centrally on whether the transplants took place in private units within national health service and foundation trusts.

Tuberculosis

Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what co-operation his Department undertakes with its counterparts in Scotland and Wales to combat tuberculosis in Great Britain.

Dawn Primarolo: Health policies for England, Scotland and Wales are determined by each country individually. However, each health department maintains regular contact and sharing of policies on tuberculosis (TB) through a number of formal routes, such as the UK Health Protection Oversight Group, which meets regularly to maintain good communication between the four nations (including Northern Ireland), and informally as needed.
	Through these meetings, key publications such as the Department's TB Action Plan, the NICE TB Prevention and Control Guidance and the awareness raising work are shared with Scotland and Wales, who consider England's actions when formulating their own policies.
	The Health Protection Agency in England has close links, with each health department, and collects and publishes annual data on TB rates for each country.

Tuberculosis: Medical Treatments

Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to prevent the spread of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis.

Dawn Primarolo: Prevention of the emergence and spread of any type of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) is being addressed through the Chief Medical Officer's (CMO) TB Action Plan. The Plan provides guidelines to primary care trusts on improving to public health surveillance system, fast and comprehensive detection of cases, rapid identification of drug resistance if it exists, and good clinical management, including measures to ensure treatment is both appropriate and completed by the patient.
	National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guidelines on the Treatment and Diagnosis of TB (2006) include specific guidance on treatment and rapid contact tracing of people in contact with any type of drug resistant TB.
	The key step in preventing development of drug-resistant TB is improving adherence to treatment among those TB patients who have already started their treatment.
	In 2007, the Department has initiated a 'Find and Treat' project to actively look for cases of TB among the homeless and other vulnerable groups in London, and to promote the use of directly observed therapy, which provides supervised medication and support to patients to improve adherence to treatment.

Tuberculosis: Medical Treatments

Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent on treating drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) patients in the last five years; and if he will estimate the cost of treating those patients as if they had drug-susceptible TB.

Dawn Primarolo: Data on the costs associated with treatment of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MRD-TB), either by case or in total, are not routinely collected. The National Institute of Clinical Excellence have undertaken analysis of TB treatment costs as part of the development of guidance 'TuberculosisNational clinical guideline for diagnosis, management, prevention, and control'.
	An estimated average cost of treating one patient with MDR-TB is 60,000, compared to an 6,000 for an average case of drug-susceptible TB.
	The number (and proportion) of confirmed tuberculosis cases with MDR-TB in England by year 2002-07 is as follows:
	
		
			   Number  Proportion (percentage) 
			 2002 33 0.9 
			 2003 49 1.3 
			 2004 44 1.1 
			 2005 40 0.9 
			 2006 49 1.1 
			 2007 47 1.1 
			  Note: The proportions are among culture confirmed cases reported to ETS that had drug susceptibility testing results for at least isoniazid and rifampicin.  Source: Health Protection Agency Enhanced Tuberculosis Surveillance System (ETS)

Vioxx

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions  (a) he,  (b) Ministers in his Department and  (c) officials in his Department have had since June 2008 with the US administration on the drug Vioxx; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: Neither Ministers nor officials in the Department have held any discussions with the United States Administration on this matter.

Agriculture: Research

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1614W, on agriculture: research, which nations have received funding for agricultural research and development from his Department in the last five years.

Michael Foster: The majority of DFID's centrally funded expenditure on agricultural research is directed through international agricultural research organisations. These funds are used to benefit the lives of poor people in all developing countries, especially in Africa and Asia. DFID also supports regional programmes in the Andes, East Africa and West Africa. Regional programmes are planned for Southern Africa and South Asia. A table of organisations and programmes supported by DFID is attached with information on the countries/regions they cover.
	DFID is contributing 5 million over five years through a strategic partnership with the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) under the programme on Sustainable Agriculture Research for International Development to fund 12 research grants in crop science. These grants were announced in January 2008 and have been made to consortia which include one UK partner and at least one partner from a developing country. In 2008-09, partners from Bangladesh, China, Ghana, India, Kenya, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda, have directly benefited from this programme.
	
		
			  Name of institution/programme  Countries/regions covered 
			 Andes Regional Programme South America 
			 Pro-Poor Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Risk Reduction Africa and Asia 
			 Project- Lead institutions - Food and Agriculture Organization,  
			 International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and  
			 International Livestock Research Institute (ILR1)  
			 Sustainable Agriculture Research for International Development (SARID) Bangladesh, China, Ghana, India, Kenya, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda 
			 Bioversity International (IPGRI) Global 
			 Centre for Agricultural Bioscience International (CABI) Global 
			 Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) Central, West, Eastern and Southern Africa and Latin America 
			 East African Regional Programme (Agriculture) (ASARECA) Eastern and Central Africa 
			 Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) Africa 
			 Generation Challenge Programme Global 
			 Global Alliance Livestock Vaccines and Medicines (GALVmed) Africa and Asia 
			 Harvest Plus Challenge Programme Brazil, China and India 
			 International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) North Africa, Nile Valley, Sub-Saharan Africa, West Asia, Arabian Peninsula, Highlands of North Africa  West Asia and Latin America 
			 International Centre for development oriented Research in Agriculture (ICRA) Global 
			 International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) Africa, Asia and South America 
			 International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) Global 
			 International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) North Africa  Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, South  Central Asia, East and South East Asia, Central, South and Caribbean 
			 International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Africa 
			 International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Global 
			 International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) Global 
			 International Potato Centre (CIP) Global 
			 International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Global 
			 International Water Management Institute (IWMI) Global 
			 Research into Use Africa and Asia 
			 South Asia (planned) South Asia 
			 Southern Africa (planned with Southern African Development Community (SADC)) Southern Africa 
			 West Africa Regional Programme (Agriculture) (CORAF) West Africa 
			 West Africa Rice Development Association (WARDA) Africa 
			 World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF) Eastern Africa, West  Central Africa, Southern Africa, Latin America, South Asia and South East Asia 
			 World Vegetable Center (AVRDC) Global 
			 WorldFish Centre (ICLARM) Global

Written Questions: Government Responses

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when he plans to answer Question 246213, tabled by the hon. Member for Stroud on 17 December 2008, on UK National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and Afghanistan.

Michael Foster: The parliamentary question referred to by my hon. Friend was transferred to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and answered on 12 February 2009,  Official Report, column 2308-09W.

Departmental ICT

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform pursuant to the answer of 16 December 2008,  Official Report, column 599W, on departmental ICT, what the original expected  (a) cost and  (b) delivery date was of each project referred to; and if he will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: The original expected  (a) cost and  (b) delivery date for each of the BERR ICT projects referred to in the answer of 16 December 2008,  Official Report, column 599W, were as follows:
	 HR Online
	 (a) 7.2 million for development and implementation; 1.1 million per annum for support.
	 (b) May 2008.
	 SPIRE 3
	 (a) 897,000 for development and implementation; 155,000 per annum for support,
	 (b) March 2009.
	 RITE
	 (a) 800,000 for development and implementation; 641,000 per annum for support.
	 (b) December 2008.
	 Point of Single Contact
	 (a) 1.6 million; support costs continue to be negotiated.
	 (b) March 2010.

Departmental Redundancy

Justine Greening: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform pursuant to the answer of 12 January 2009,  Official Report, columns 462-3W, on redundancy, what estimate has he made of the annual payroll savings accruing to his Department as a result of staff exit schemes in  (a) 2005-06,  (b) 2006-07,  (c) 2007-08 and  (d) 2008-09 excluding the cost of severance packages; and what estimate he has made of the equivalent figures for 2009-10.

Patrick McFadden: The estimate(1) of the annual payroll savings resulting from staff exit schemes in each of the following financial years are:
	
		
			million 
			 2005-06 5.5 
			 2006-07 6.4 
			 2007-08 6.4 
			 2008-09 (YTD) 0.7 
		
	
	With respect to an estimate for the year 2009-10, this will be dependant on the results of BERR's annual business planning process.
	(1) This estimate is based on median base pay at 2008 pay levels and represents the full year effect of any exits.

Trade Promotion

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many overseas visits have been made by each of the business ambassadors since 3 October 2008; and what the cost of  (a) flights,  (b) accommodation,  (c) gifts and  (d) other expenses was for each such visit.

Gareth Thomas: The following table sets out the overseas visits undertaken by business ambassadors since 3 October 2008, as at 6 February 2009, and also details related direct costs:
	
		
			  Name  Visit made  Flight cost ()  Accommodation costs ()  Gifts ()  Other expenses ()  Note/() 
			 Sir John Bond New York (November 2008). Meeting with Consul-General and UKTI Trade Team 0 0 0 0 All costs met by business ambassador 
			
			 Paul Skinner Australia (November 2008). Speeches in Melbourne and Sydney 0 0 0 0 All costs met by business ambassador 
			
			 Digby, Lord Jones of Birmingham Dubai (November 2008). Led largest UK trade mission ever to the Gulf. Over 200 UK companies involved. 3,601.24 735.26 0 (1)646.53 Total: 4,983.03 
			
			 Dick Olver Oman (January 2009). Meeting/lunch with HMA and Young President's Organisation of Oman 0 0 0 0 All costs met by business ambassador 
			
			 Dick Olver Abu Dhabi (January 2009). Meeting/lunch with HMA and Abu Dhabi UK business leaders 0 0 0 0 All costs met by business ambassador 
			
			 Lord Richard Rogers Mexico (February 2009). Meeting with HMA and UKTI representatives. Meeting with Mexican Secretary of Communications and Transport and HMA. Meeting with Coordinator of the infrastructure and Tourism Cabinet, Office of the President of Mexico and HMA 0 0 0 0 All costs met by business ambassador 
			 (1) Car hire

Trade Promotion

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the cost of running the business ambassadors' secretariat within UK Trade and Investment has been since 3 October 2008; and what proportion of that cost has been for  (a) secretariat staff salaries and  (b) other expenses.

Gareth Thomas: UKTI has resourced the business ambassador secretariat from within its overall internal resources. The estimated salary cost for the period since 3 October 2008 is approximately 24,000; this includes set-up costs. No other expenses have been incurred.

Electricity Generation

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what research his Department has conducted into highly distributed power systems.

Mike O'Brien: Research into distributed power systems has been carried out by the DECC funded Centre for Sustainable Electricity and Distributed Generation and the Electricity Networks Strategy Group. Copies of final reports can be found on their respective website:
	www.sedg.ac.uk
	and
	www.ensg.gov.uk

Members: Correspondence

John Penrose: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he will reply to the hon. Member for Weston-Super-Mare's letters of 20 October 2008, 18 November 2008 and 5 January 2009 on behalf of his constituent, Ms Janette Dalbeith.

Mike O'Brien: I replied to the hon. Member on 29 January and apologise for the delay, which was due to departmental reorganisation.

Members: Correspondence

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when the Minister of State plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire of 2 December 2008 about an application for a Government grant.

Joan Ruddock: holding answer 9 February 2009
	I replied to the hon. Member on 23 January and apologise for the delay.

Members: Correspondence

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when the Minister of State plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire of 4 November 2008 on Flogas and the price of liquefied petroleum gas.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 9 February 2009
	I am told that the Department has no record of receiving the letter from the hon. Member. Officials have requested a copy of the letter and I will respond in due course.

Members: Correspondence

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Chelmsford to the Prime Minister of 17 November 2008 on his constituent Mr T Woodcraft of Chelmer Village, Chelmsford, transferred to his Department for a response on 27 November 2008.

Joan Ruddock: holding answer 12 February 2009
	 I replied to the hon. Member on 12 February. I apologise for the delay, which was due to departmental reorganisation.

Members: Correspondence

Shona McIsaac: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State plans to reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Cleethorpes regarding  (a) Mr Daniel Stewart, dated 30 October 2008 and  (b) Mr Stephen Turner, dated 6 November 2008.

Joan Ruddock: I responded to my hon. Friend the member for Cleethorpes, letter on behalf of Mr. D. Stewart on 16 February and apologise for the delay, which was due to departmental reorganisation.
	My hon. Friend's letter on behalf of Mr. S. Turner has been transferred to the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and the Department will respond shortly.

Renewable Energy: EC Action

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Southampton, Test of 22 January 2009,  Official Report, column 886, on a European supergrid, what recent assessment he has made of the merits of a pan-European supergrid; what estimate he has made of the likely annual cost of such a supergrid; and what assessment he has made of its likely effects on security of supply.

Mike O'Brien: holding reply 4 February 2009
	 DECC officials are currently in discussion with the European Commission and other European countries on proposals for a supergrid linking offshore wind projects in the North Sea. This would be a major, long term but expensive project.
	We are currently putting in place a new regulatory regime to connect to the GB Grid up to 33GW of renewable offshore generation needed in to meet our renewable energy targets. The cost of offshore connections for these projects alone is estimated to be up to around 15 billion - more than twice the value of the onshore grid.
	A cost-benefit analysis DECC has undertaken on the optimal design of offshore transmission systems:
	www.sedg.ac.uk
	shows that the most economic connections for those offshore wind farms are direct connections to the nearest shore involving little extra cable capacity. This was supported by the recent study prepared by National Grid for the Crown Estate, on grid connections for round three offshore wind projects:
	www.thecrownestate.co.uk//newscontent/92-round3-grid-study.htm
	The UK supports further energy market integration by enabling greater cross-border electricity trade, which should also increase security of supply. However, it should be for the market to decide, based on the most economically efficient solutions.

Child Trust Fund: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many children in City of York constituency have received child trust fund payments of  (a) 250 and  (b) 500 at birth.

Ian Pearson: We are unable to supply this information as it would be possible to do so only at a disproportionate cost. However, Information on the number of child trust fund vouchers issued and the number of accounts opened in each constituency are published on the HMRC website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ctf/cons-stats-oct08.pdf
	All children eligible for the child trust fund receive a 250 voucher. Children from low income families receive an additional 250 paid directly into their child trust fund account when the family's child tax credit award has been finalised.
	The latest set of figures was published on 6 November 2008.

Departmental Buildings

Greg Clark: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the  (a) display energy certificates and  (b) advisory reports for public buildings issued in respect of each property occupied by (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies.

Angela Eagle: My Department will place in the Library a copy of the display energy certificates and their associated advisory reports in respect of HM Treasury's London and Norwich offices. The Debt Management Office is currently working with their advisers and their Landlords' managing agents towards gathering the required information and will display an energy performance certificate I due course.

Departmental Sick Leave

Norman Lamb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff in his Department were recorded as having been on sick leave for over 12 months on 31 December in each of the last five years.

Angela Eagle: In 2004 there were six employees having been on sick leave for over 12 months, and in each of the years 2005, 2006 and 2008 there were under five employees having been on sick leave for over 12 months. In 2007 no employees were reported having been on sick leave for over 12 months.

Departmental Television

Nick Hurd: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the answer to the right hon. Member for Horsham of 4 November 2008,  Official Report, column 310W, on departmental television, what premium television channels  (a) HM Revenue and Customs and  (b) the Valuation Office Agency subscribe to; and at what cost.

Stephen Timms: Data systems show a total spend of 8,521 across HMRC in the year April 2007 to March 2008 with British Sky Broadcasting Ltd and Sky Business.
	The system does not have the level of detail to show the channels subscribed to and would involve disproportionate cost to provide the information requested.
	The Valuation Office Agency does not subscribe to any premium television channels.

Employment

Grant Shapps: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost was of the jobs summit held on 12 January 2009 at the Science Museum.

Jonathan R Shaw: I have been asked to reply.
	The global economic downturn has far-reaching consequences and requires a coordinated response from across Government and businesses. We have been working hard to promote closer working between employers and Jobcentre Plus. On 12 January, for example, we hosted an Employment Summit, bringing together around 120 employers, representative groups and training providers to discuss how businesses can play their part in the response to rising unemployment. The total cost of the event was 162,076.18.
	Building on this, the Secretary of State jointly hosted the first meeting of the National Employment Partnership on 11 February. This event was attended by 22 key employers from across a number of sectors to discuss the implementation of the Government's new package of support for those who are still unemployed six months into a jobseeker's allowance claim, and to discuss the role and importance of Local Employment Partnerships.
	In addition to these events, Ministers and senior officials continue to meet with outside organisations on a regular basis to discuss specific issues arising from the recession across the whole spectrum of the Department's work.

Financial Services Authority

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions the Chairman of the Financial Services Authority has been consulted about a notice served under section 49 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 notice prior to it being served on a regulated financial institution.

Ian Pearson: The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act Code of Practice stipulates that a requirement to disclose a key to protected information from a provider of financial services shall not be imposed upon any company or firm authorised by the Financial Services Authority without prior notification to the Chief Executive of the Authority or a person designated by him for that purpose. I understand that the FSA has not received notification that any such requirement has been issued to a company or firm authorised by them.

Members: Correspondence

Michael Spicer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire of 29 December 2008, 
	(1)  on Bradford and Bingley, PO Ref: 1/65517/2009;
	(2)  on licensing of banks for Financial Services Authority compensation scheme regulations, PO Ref: 1/65525/2009.

Ian Pearson: A reply has been sent to the hon. Member for PO Ref: 1/65517/2009.
	For PO Ref: 1/65525/2009, due to the large volume of correspondence received on these issues there has been a delay in sending some responses. The Financial Services Secretary hopes to be in a position to reply to the hon. Member shortly.

Members: Correspondence

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  when he plans to respond to the right hon. Member for West Derbyshire's letter of 21 November 2008 on Derbyshire Building Society;
	(2)  when the Financial Secretary plans to respond to the right hon. Member for West Derbyshire's letter of November 2008 concerning the failure of Kaupthing Bank;
	(3)  when the Economic Secretary plans to respond to the right hon. Member for West Derbyshire's letter of 23 October 2008 on inclusion of non-bank building societies in the financial support package for the banking industry;
	(4)  when the Economic Secretary plans to reply to the right hon. Member for West Derbyshire's letter of 23 October 2008 on the Government's decision to implement a financial support package for the banking industry;
	(5)  when the Economic Secretary plans to respond to the right hon. Member for West Derbyshire's letter of 23 October 2008 on the merger between the Derbyshire and Nationwide Building Societies.

Ian Pearson: Due to the large volume of correspondence received on these issues there has been a delay in sending some responses. The Financial Services Secretary hopes to be in a position to reply to the right hon. Member shortly.

Mortgages: Arrears

Dai Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for the Vale of York of 9 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1625W, on mortgages: arrears, if he will make it his policy to  (a) collect and  (b) lay before the House figures on mortgage arrears on a monthly basis.

Ian Pearson: The Council of Mortgage Lenders publishes the number of mortgages in arrears, available at:
	http://www.cml.org.uk/cml/statistics
	The Ministry of Justice publishes figures for the numbers of possession orders made by county courts, available at:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics.htm
	Both these sets of figures are published on a quarterly basis.

Mortgages: Repossession Orders

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which 10 financial providers made the highest number of repossessions of homes for reasons of mortgage arrears in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The Government do not hold this data. The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) publishes the total numbers of properties taken into possession in the UK, available at:
	http://www.cml.org.uk/cml/statistics
	As announced in the pre-Budget report, the Government have established a new lending panel, which will improve monitoring of lending to households and businesses, as well as drive up best practice across the mortgage market and promote awareness of initiatives to support households against repossessions.
	The major mortgage lenders on the panel have agreed to a moratorium on repossessionscommitting not to repossess for at least three months after an owner-occupier falls into arrears. Some mortgage lenders have now gone further, and committed not to repossess for at least six months after an owner-occupier is in arrears. The Government welcome such moves.

Research and Development Tax Credit

Robert Wilson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Eddisbury of 3 November 2008,  Official Report, column 100W on research and development tax credit, how many companies used Business Link's interactive tool to calculate their eligibility for research and development tax credits in each month since March 2006.

Angela Eagle: No monthly breakdown is available of the previous answer. In total, since its launch, the tool has now been successfully used in around 9,400 instances.

Research and Development Tax Credit

Robert Wilson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Eddisbury of 3 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 101-2W, on research and development tax credit, when figures for the  (a) number and  (b) value of research and development tax credits claimed in (i) 2006-07 and (ii) 2007-08 will be available.

Angela Eagle: Statistics on the number and cost of claims for research and development tax credits are published in December each year as national statistics on the HM Revenue and Customs website.
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/corporate tax/randdtcmenu.htm
	Figures for years up to and including 2006-07 were published on 19 December 2008. Those for 2007-08 are scheduled for publication in December 2009.

Revenue and Customs: Northern Ireland

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1273W, on Revenue and Customs: Northern Ireland, if he will take steps to ensure that appointments to HM Revenue and Customs offices in Northern Ireland more closely reflect the proportions of the working age population.

Stephen Timms: HMRC is committed to equality of opportunity and is taking the following steps to ensure that appointments reflect the economically active population of Northern Ireland and that any perceived barriers are minimised.
	All recruitment processes within HMRC are designed to be fair and equitable and selection is based solely on merit.
	HMRC is taking positive action by ensuring that all HMRC vacancy advertisements carry a 'welcome' message. This states that 'we welcome applications from all sections of the community but, as members of the Protestant community are currently underrepresented, applications from this community are particularly welcome'.
	HMRC Work Experience Programmes have been targeted to promote HMRC positively to the Protestant community. We anticipate that this will increase awareness of the opportunities that exist within HMRC and in turn lead to an increase in applications from the Protestant community.
	HMRC has met with the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI) and is currently working with the ECNI to agree an affirmative action plan to ensure fair participation of all sections of the community in its work force.

Schools: Uniforms

Nigel Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the answer of 31 March 2008,  Official Report, column 668W, on schools: uniforms, what discussions he has had with his European counterparts on the introduction of a reduced value added tax (VAT) rate for items of school uniform that are not already VAT zero-rated since March 2008.

Stephen Timms: The Government have not discussed this issue further with European counterparts since this question was raised on 31 March 2008. There is currently no scope within EU VAT law to introduce a reduced rate for items of school uniform not already VAT zero-rated.
	The European Commission published a legislative proposal on reduced VAT rates in July 2008 in order to provide greater flexibility for member states to apply reduced rates. This proposal did not include children's clothing.

VAT

Stephen Byers: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to the Exchequer in tax forgone of the reduction in the rate of value added tax to 15 per cent. in the period from 1 April 2009 to 1 January 2010.

Stephen Timms: The estimated cost of the temporary reduction in the standard rate of VAT was published in Table B5 of the 2008 pre-Budget report. The value for 2009-10 relates to the specified period.

Welfare Tax Credits

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 22 January 2009,  Official Report, column 1639W, on tax credit, how many current recipients of tax credits would see their entitlement reduced to zero in each scenario.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is not currently available.

Departmental Internet

Mark Harper: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality if she will publish a copy of the Government Equalities Office's website accessibility plan.

Maria Eagle: The Government Equalities Office will publish their website accessibility plan in June 2009.

Departmental Lobbying

Mark Hoban: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality whether she received representations from  (a) Lord Moonie,  (b) Lord Taylor of Blackburn,  (c) Lord Snape and  (d) Lord Truscott in the last seven months.

Maria Eagle: The Minister for Women and Equality have not received any representations from Lords Moonie, Taylor, Snape and Truscott in the last seven months.

Olympic Games 2012: Finance

Tom Brake: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what costs had been incurred on  (a) the 2012 Media Centre and  (b) the 2012 Olympic Village as at 1 February 2009; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: Olympic Delivery Authority figures at the end of January 2009 show expenditure of 24.28 million on the International Business Centre/Main Press Centre project and expenditure of 71.6 million on the vertical build of the Olympic Village. Both these figures are in line with expected levels of expenditure.

Civil Servants: Codes of Practice

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  with reference to the answer of 5 March 2008,  Official Report, column 2632W, on trade unions, if he will place in the Library a copy of the section of his Department's staff handbook which outlines the rules for civil servants applying for  (a) paid and  (b) unpaid time off to engage in political activities;
	(2)  with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Chichester of 26 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1673W, on trades unions, if he will place in the Library a copy of the agreement with trades unions under which trades unions officers in his Department may take time off for trades' unions duties.

Jack Straw: The rules for civil servants in the Ministry of Justice (Mo J) applying for  (a) paid and  (b) unpaid time off to engage in political activities is contained within the respective Special Leave policies for National Offender Management Service (NOMS) and the MoJ.
	The rules as to whether civil servants are allowed to take part in political activities is contained within the respective conduct policies for NOMS and the MoJ.
	The agreements with the trade unions under which trade union officers may take time off for trade union duties is contained in a number of facility time agreements which are currently under review.
	These documents have been placed in the Library of the House.

Constituencies

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst of 10 March 2008,  Official Report, column 150W, on constituencies, what progress has been made on the review of legislation on boundary rules; and what the timetable for consultation with political parties is.

Michael Wills: It remains our intention that the current legislation in relation to the conduct of parliamentary boundary reviews will be the subject of an independent review. The arrangements for the conduct of the review are still under consideration. Consultation with interested bodies will be a matter for the review once it is established.

Coroners: Oxfordshire

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the  (a) average and  (b) longest time it took for a coroner to hold a treasure inquest once requested for finds from Oxfordshire in 2007; and if he will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: The Ministry of Justice collects statistics on the number of finds under the Treasure Act 1996 reported to coroners in England and Wales during each calendar year, the number of treasure inquests concluded during the year and, of these, the number of verdicts of treasure returned. Information is not collected on the time taken to conduct treasure inquests.
	Informal figures are, however, collated by the British Museum, which record the time between the inquest being requested by the British Museum and a verdict being returned. These show that in 2007, the British Museum requested that the Oxfordshire coroner hold seven treasure inquests. The longest time between an inquest being requested and a verdict being returned was 525 days, while the other six ranged in duration from 77 days to 423 days. A statistical average based on such a small number of cases would be very volatile and heavily dependent on the particular circumstances of each case.

Departmental Buildings

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will place in the Library a copy of the  (a) display energy certificates and  (b) advisory reports for public buildings issued in respect of each property occupied by (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies.

Michael Wills: Display energy certificates (DEC) and advisory reports issued for public buildings are not held centrally in respect of Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and all its agencies. To commission copies of  (a) display energy certificates and  (b) advisory reports, to be placed in the Library for over 500 buildings, with the associated costs of copying, postage and staff time to complete the work could be done only at disproportionate cost. Accordingly, MOJ will not be placing these in the Library.
	The DEC ratings for MOJ buildings completed as at October 2008 can be found in the OGC Sustainable Procurement and Operations on the Government EstateGovernment Delivery Plan Update, published on 18 December 2008, a copy of which can be found at:
	http://www.ogc.gov.uk/documents/Delivery_Plan_Update_Dec08.pdf
	Annex B of the plan provides the relevant information on MOJ DECs.

Departmental Data Protection

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many members of staff have been  (a) investigated,  (b) suspended and  (c) dismissed for losing (i) memory sticks, (ii) laptop computers, (iii) desktop computers and (iv) mobile telephones in each year since 1997.

Jack Straw: The Ministry has taken decisive action to improve data handling including minimising the amount of data put on removable media, encryption programmes for data and mobile devices that carry personal protected data and the introduction of training and education programmes to improve staff awareness of information risks.
	Government take data security very seriously, which is why a report into data handling procedures across Government was commissioned and new measures to improve and strengthen controls in the protection of personal data were introduced.
	Under para 2.8 of the Data Handling Report published in June 2008, all departments are required to amend HR processes where necessary to make clear that failing to apply controls in handling personal data could amount to gross misconduct, and this has been reflected in the Ministry's revised Discipline Policy issued in July 2008.
	In the Ministry of Justice, excluding the National Offender Management Service, details of the number of staff investigated for losing memory sticks, laptops, desktop computers and mobile telephones are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Information on suspensions is not held to include the level of detail requested by this question. Central records only exist from 2003 and indicate that no members of staff have been dismissed for losing IT equipment. The central records from 2003 to 2005 do not include details of dismissals from the Magistrates Courts Committees, and these records are not held centrally.
	In the Ministry of Justice National Offender Management Service, details of the numbers of staff investigated or suspended for losing memory sticks, laptops, desktop computers and mobile telephones are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Information regarding the outcome of disciplinary proceedings shows that no members of staff have been dismissed since January 2005 for the aforementioned offences. However, formal disciplinary action was taken against one member of staff during 2005 following the loss of a laptop.

Departmental Foreign Workers

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many  (a) EU foreign nationals and  (b) non-EU foreign nationals are employed by his Department.

Michael Wills: The Ministry of Justice has an obligation under the civil service commissioners recruitment code to ensure its recruitment processes are operating under open and fair principles.
	The Ministry of Justice only employs applicants who have the right to work in the UK, and an individual's nationality is verified before an offer of employment is made. civil service rules enable EEA nationals and certain non-EEA family members to be employed as civil servants. The Ministry of Justice does not hold central data in respect of the number of EU foreign national employed and it could only be collected at disproportionate costs.
	There is also a provision that, in exceptional circumstances, foreign nationals, other than EEA nationals and certain non-EEA family members, may be employed by means of an aliens' certificate under the Aliens' Employment Act 1955. This Act empowers the employing department's Minister, with the approval of the Minister for the civil service, to issue a certificate of employment in certain circumstances. Information on the number of staff employed under the Aliens' Employment Act 1955 is collected. The Prison Service currently employs one person under the act. This was approved by the then Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice (Mr. Sutcliffe), with the consent of the Minister for the civil service.

Departmental Recruitment

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many staff his Department recruited as  (a) permanent,  (b) temporary and  (c) agency staff in each year since it was established.

Michael Wills: The following table provides the information on the number of directly employed staff recruited since the formation of the Ministry of Justice.
	The Ministry of Justice does not hold central data in respect of the number of agency staff recruited and therefore it could be collected only at disproportionate costs.
	
		
			   9 May 2007 to 31 March 2008  1 April 2008 to 31 January 2009 
			 Permanent 5,062 5,471 
			 Fixed Term Contract 3,113 2,459

Electoral Register

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  which local authorities have initiated proceedings to fine households who have not submitted an electoral registration form in response to the annual canvass since the sanction was brought into force;
	(2)  when the sanctions in relation to voter non-registration will be brought into force; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Wills: As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Bridget Prentice) explained in her answer on 24 June 2008,  Official Report, column 244W, to a similar question relating to which local authorities have initiated proceedings to levy fines on households failing to return the canvass form, this information is not collected centrally. Electoral registration officers (EROs) have a duty to compile and maintain an accurate register and they have a number of mechanisms available to them in achieving this. It is a decision for independent EROs whether they initiate proceedings for non-completion of the annual canvass form.
	Sanctions have recently been brought into force to create a new offence of supplying false information of any kind to a registration officer in connection with electoral registration. This sanction came into force in time for the 2006 annual canvass and anyone found guilty of supplying false information at registration can now be fined up to 5,000 or sentenced to up to six months imprisonment.

Freedom of Information

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many staff in his Department are employed on the management of freedom of information requests submitted to his Department.

Michael Wills: All Freedom of Information requests made to my Department are handled by the Data Access and Compliance Unit. Of the 27 staff employed in the Unit, 17 deal with the management of Freedom of Information requests. The remainder are responsible for handling requests under the Data Protection Act, or have administrative or managerial duties.

Freedom of Information

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 his Department  (a) fulfilled and  (b) refused in (i) 2006 and (ii) 2007.

Michael Wills: My Department has published annual reports containing statistical information on Freedom of Information requests received by monitored bodies (including central government departments) in 2006 and 2007.
	These reports include statistics on the number of non-routine requests received by this department and the initial outcomes of these requests.
	The reports can be found at the following address:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/freedomofinformationquarterly.htm
	In addition, copies of each report have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Offenders: Personal Records

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1536W, on offenders: personal records, what his Department plans to do with the data once it completes its analysis of the final cohort;
	(2)  how many offenders there were on the Offenders Index when it was last updated.

David Hanson: There were about eight million offenders on the Offenders Index database in December 2006. The Department no longer uses the Offender Index to provide routine data on reoffending and criminal history. We are currently analysing the final cohort of offenders extracted from the Offenders Index which are based on data up to December 2006. The Department has no plans for a further update but will retain the data after completion and publication of the analysis.
	Since 2005, the Ministry of Justice has been using data extracted from its Police National Computer database to provide the published figures on reoffending.

Offenders: Personal Records

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1536W, on offenders: personal records, whether his Department plans to delete any of the data which are not being used.

David Hanson: The Department no longer uses the Offenders Index to provide routine data on reoffending and criminal history; we now use data extracted from the Police National Computer to provide the published figures on reoffending. We are currently analysing the final cohort of offenders extracted from the Offenders Index. Although we do not plan to use the Offenders Index in future we have no plans to delete any of the data as there is a range of possible future uses for it.

Open Prisons

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many places in semi-open prisons for adult women prisoners  (a) there are in England and Wales and  (b) there will be in England and Wales after 2 March 2009 following the re-designation of HM Prison/Young Offender Institution Drake Hall and HM Prison Morton Hall.

David Hanson: Following the recent announcement from the National Offender Management Service to re-designate HM Prison and Young Offender Institution Drake Hall and HM Prison and Young Offender Institution Morton Hall, there will be no semi-open prisons for adult women in England and Wales after 2 March 2009.

Prisoners Release

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 12 January 2009,  Official Report, column 552W, on prisoners: release, how long on average it took a prisoner eligible for jobseeker's allowance upon release to receive that benefit after release in the last 12 months.

Tony McNulty: I have been asked to reply.
	The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how long on average it took a prisoner eligible for Jobseeker's Allowance upon release to receive that benefit after release in the last 12 months. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	In answer to your specific question, I regret that this type of information is not routinely collected and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
	Whilst information about prisoners' claims is not collected specifically, they are included in the overall Jobseeker's Allowance claim processing target. At the end of December 2008, our Jobseeker's Allowance claims clearance rate was an average of 10.4 days, against a target of 11.5 days. Whilst January figures have not yet been confirmed, we expect them to be at a similar level.
	All prisoners being released who wish to claim Jobseeker's Allowance are also able to use the Freshstart process. Freshstart involves pre-arranging a New Jobseeker Interview to claim Jobseeker's Allowance at the prisoner's home Jobcentre Plus office for as soon as possible after they are released. The customer normally has an appointment with a Jobcentre Plus Adviser within 3 days of leaving prison. The process helps to speed up the receipt of benefit and aims to ensure that the offender engages with the Jobcentre at the earliest opportunity to allow them to gain appropriate support.
	In addition, those serving shorter term sentences can also take advantage of the Rapid Reclaim Process. This service is available if a prisoner reclaims benefits within 26 weeks of their last claim and their circumstances have not changed. There are simpler and shorter forms to complete and processing the benefit is eased.

Prisons: Manpower

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average length of service was for  (a) a prison guard and  (b) other staff in (i) all prisons in England and Wales and (ii) HM Prison Winchester in each of the last five years.

David Hanson: The average length of service for a prison officer and other staff in all public sector establishments in England and Wales and in HM Prison Winchester in each of the last five years are detailed in the tables. Information for public and private sector prisons are shown separately.
	 Public sector prisons contribution
	
		
			  Table 1: Average length of service for prison officers and other staff in all public sector establishments 
			   Public sector establishments 
			  Average length of service (years)  Prison officer  Other staff 
			 2004 11.0 6.4 
			 2005 11.1 6.7 
			 2006 11.3 6.9 
			 2007 11.3 7.0 
			 2008 11.4 7.2 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Average length of service for prison officers and other staff in HMP Winchester 
			   HMP Winchester 
			  Average length of service (years)  Prison officer  Other staff 
			 2004 11.6 6.9 
			 2005 11.6 7.3 
			 2006 11.6 7.8 
			 2007 12.2 7.9 
			 2008 11.3 9.0 
			  Note: Includes prison officers, senior officers, principal officers in public sector Prison Service. 
		
	
	 Private prisons contribution
	Information on staffing figures in the contracted estate is not collated centrally and has been requested from each contractor, derived from their own human resources databases. Information has been provided from each contractor Kalyx who manages Bronzefield, Forest Bank and Peterborough; G4S who manages Parc, Altcourse, Rye Hill and Wolds; and Serco who manages Ashfield, Doncaster, Dovegate and Lowdham Grange. Information in the following tables is provided for the contracted sector equivalent of Prison Service prison officers and other staff (non-operational). The data are provided for each year since 2004.
	
		
			  Table 3: Average length of service for prison officers in contracted prisons 
			  Prison  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 Altcourse 6 
			 Ashfield 2.05 2.04 2.4 2.58 2.7 
			 Bronzefield 0.5 1.1 1.11 2.5 2.8 
			 Doncaster 7.39 6.94 6.52 5.48 4.46 
			 Dovegate  
			 Forest Bank 1.8 
			 Lowdham Grange  
			 Parc 2 
			 Peterborough  1 1.11 2.5 3 
			 Rye Hill 2.7 
			 Wolds 8.8 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 4: Average length of service for other staff in contracted prisons 
			  Prison  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 Altcourse 6.5 
			 Ashfield 2.46 3.2 3.6 4.39 4.9 
			 Bronzefield 0.5 1.25 1.5 2 2.5 
			 Doncaster 2.61 2.76 2.46 2.2 2.07 
			 Dovegate  
			 Forest Bank 1.7 
			 Lowdham Grange  
			 Parc 2 
			 Peterborough  0.1 1.5 2 2.25 
			 Rye Hill 4.8 
			 Wolds 6.1 
			  Notes: 1. HM Prison Bronzefield did not open until June 2004. 2. HM Prison Peterborough did not open until March 2005. 3. Information before 2008 is not available for HM Prison Altcourse, HM Prison Rye Hill, HM Prison Wolds, HM Prison Parc and HM Prison Forest Bank due to archiving and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost. 4. HM Prison Dovegate and HM Prison Lowdham Grange have not provided the information requested.

Welsh Language

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many members of staff at each grade in his Department identify themselves as Welsh speakers.

Shahid Malik: In an informal survey of 1,350 staff in Her Majesty's Courts Service in 2007, staff indicated a range of ability, from being able to meet and greet in Welsh to those who are fluent both verbally and in writing. This informal exercise did not ascertain proficiency levels on a grade basis; such analysis is not available.
	Her Majesty's Courts Service has not carried out a subsequent survey and there has been no Ministry of Justice wide data gathering exercise in this regard.
	All Tribunals Service staff at hearing centres in Wales are trained to meet and greet in Welsh, including answering the telephone. The Tribunals Service has not undertaken a formal survey of staff to indicate the range of ability from being able to meet and greet in Welsh to those who are fluent in the language, both verbally and in writing.
	Information on which languages are spoken by staff in the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) is not held centrally. To collect the information would incur disproportionate cost. However, there was a voluntary survey undertaken in NOMS Cymru HQ and public sector prisons in Wales last year. Out of 1035 surveyed, 247 responded on Welsh language of which 11 per cent. (27) indicated that they could speak Welsh and 4 per cent. (10) that it was their first language.
	The two probation trusts in Wales each have their own Welsh Language scheme approved by the Welsh Language Board.

Winchester Prison: Finance

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the budget for Winchester Prison was in each of the last five years.

David Hanson: The budget for HM Prison Winchester for the last five years were:
	
		
			
			 2004-05 15,905,573 
			 2005-06 15,132,176 
			 2006-07 15,020,041 
			 2007-08 14,543,161 
			 2008-09 14,891,331 
		
	
	The reduction in budgets for 2007-08 and 2008-09 reflects the fact that a wing was taken out of use for refurbishment during this time. The wing was brought back into use in November 2008.

Afghanistan: Detainees

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the United States administration on allegations of torture at Guantnamo Bay.

Bill Rammell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office maintains an active bilateral dialogue on a range of human rights and international legal issues with the US Government, including on the prohibition of the use of torture. We have raised with the US allegations of mistreatment put to us by our nationals or residents currently or formerly detained at Guantanamo Bay. In the last year we have asked the US Administration to investigate allegations of mistreatment raised by UK residents Omar Deghayes, Abdennour Sameur and Binyam Mohamed including in relation to periods of detention prior to their transfer to Guantanamo Bay.

Africa: Peacekeeping Operations

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the joint Rwanda-Democratic Republic of Congo initiative against FDLR forces.

Gillian Merron: holding answer 12 February 2009
	Long-term peace and stability in the Great Lakes region of Africa depends on good relations between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. The presence of the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR) militia in eastern DRC is one of the fundamental causes of the conflict there. We support the decision of the two governments to co-operate in efforts to disband the group, and urge that they involve UN peace keepers fully in any military planning, and that any action undertaken minimises the risks to the civilian population.

Anglo Leasing

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with the Kenyan authorities on the Serious Fraud Office inquiry into the Anglo Leasing affair; and whether any future discussions are planned.

Gillian Merron: holding answer 11 February 2009
	Officials at our high commission in Nairobi have made repeated representations to the Kenyan Attorney General, the Kenyan Anti-Corruption Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), to encourage co-operation with the inquiry into the Anglo Leasing matter. We will continue to raise this matter with the Kenyan government and look forward to hearing how the Kenyan government plans to progress the case. We welcome the assurance from the SFO that they are willing to look at reopening the case should evidence be received from Kenya.

Asia: Diplomatic Service

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what terms of reference Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles has been given in relation to his role as Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 12 February 2009
	The Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan will work closely with our ambassador in Kabul and our high commissioner in Islamabad, as well as co-ordinating with the other key Government Departments working on Afghanistan and Pakistan. He will focus on the cross-cutting issues facing both governments, such as counter-extremism. He will work closely with his US counterpart, ambassador Richard Holbrooke, and will consult with other international partners to help build consensus and support for the Afghan and Pakistani governments.

Asia: Diplomatic Service

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had with the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan on the appointment of a Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan before Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles was appointed to that post.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 12 February 2009
	Ministers and senior officials spoke to their Afghan and Pakistani counterparts to discuss the appointment of Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles on 6 and 7 February 2009. Our embassy in Kabul and high commission in Islamabad also discussed the appointment of the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan with their host governments before its announcement on 9 February 2009.

Australia: Foreign Relations

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a presentation to the Britain-Australia Society on his policy for UK-Australian relations.

Gillian Merron: The UK's close relationship with Australia is extremely important. It is based on a shared history, common values and vibrant people-to-people links. We remain in close and regular contact with the Australian government at all levels, as we continue to work together to address the global challenges that we both face.

Bosco Ntaganda

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on  (a) Bosco Ntaganda's indictment by the International Criminal Court and  (b) Bosco Ntaganda's recent dealings with the authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Gillian Merron: holding answer 12 February 2009
	The warrant unsealed by the International Criminal Court in 2008 for the arrest of Bosco Ntaganda remains outstanding. Mr. Ntaganda has been the de facto leader of the rebel National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP) militia in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since the arrest of Laurent Nkunda in January 2009. We understand the DRC government is co-operating with Ntaganda as part of the process to integrate CNDP members into the Congolese armed forces.

Conflict Resolution

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on which dates the Prime Minister's Special Representative on Conflict Resolution Mechanisms met representatives of  (a) the United Nations,  (b) the EU,  (c) the African Union and  (d) others; and where each meeting took place.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 12 February 2009
	The right hon. Jack McConnell MSP, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's Special Representative on Conflict Resolution Mechanisms, is based in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He met officials from the European Council, European Commission and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation on 9-10 December 2008 in Brussels, and from the UN on 15-16 December 2008 in New York. Mr. McConnell also met EU officials on 2-3 February 2009 in Bosnia. He plans to meet officials from the African Union shortly.

Conflict Resolution

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communications the Prime Minister's Special Representative on Conflict Resolution Mechanisms has had with  (a) the United Nations,  (b) the EU,  (c) the African Union and  (d) others, broken down by type of communication; and on which dates such communications took place.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 12 February 2009
	The right hon. Jack McConnell MSP, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's Special Representative on Conflict Resolution Mechanisms, is based in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He met officials from the European Council, European Commission and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation on 9-10 December 2008 in Brussels, and from the UN on 15-16 December 2008 in New York. Mr. McConnell also met EU officials on 2-3 February 2009 in Bosnia. He plans to meet officials from the African Union shortly.

Defence: Expert Capability

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2009,  Official Report, column 1519W, on armed conflict: reconstruction, if he will place a copy of the Cabinet Office review of the UK's civilian expert capability in the Library.

David Miliband: The recommendations of the Cabinet Office Review into Stabilisation and Civil Effect were presented to Ministers as a Cabinet Sub-Committee Paper. The Cabinet Office has advised that this paper should not be placed in the Library. Information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet Committees, including Cabinet Committee papers, is generally not disclosed as to do so could be prejudicial to the formulation of policy through full and frank discussion.

Departmental Reorganisation

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the Answer of 7 February 2008,  Official Report, column 1399W, on departmental reorganisation, what decisions have been made about the level of his Department's funding for science and innovation in financial years  (a) 2009-10 and  (b) 2010-11.

David Miliband: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills have agreed funding arrangements for the next two years on science and innovation work. This will see an increase from 9.85 million in 2008-09 to 10.15 million in 2009-10 and 2010-11.

Departmental Secondment

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2008,  Official Report, columns 1773-77W, on departmental secondment, how many officials are on secondment from his Department, broken down by  (a) job title,  (b) grade and  (c) department or institution to which they are seconded.

Gillian Merron: As at 1 February 2009 there were 136 officials seconded from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to a wide range of other Government Departments, non-governmental organisations and the private sector. The 136 officials comprise 40 senior management level, 17 at D7, 34 at D6, 11 at C5, 15 at C4, 14 at B3 and five at A2 level. For security reasons it is not possible to provide a breakdown by job title and Department or institution.
	These figures do not include FCO staff working for UK Trade  Investment or the UK Borders Agency.

Guantanamo Bay

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support the Government plans to provide the US administration in closing the detention facility at Guantnamo Bay.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 10 February 2009
	We welcome President Obama's Executive Order to close Guantanamo Bay within one year, and further Orders on detainee treatment and interrogation techniques. The UK has long called for the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility and we recognise that the US Government will require help from its allies to achieve this. We have already secured the release and return of 13 UK nationals and residents from Guantanamo Bay. We will continue to share our experience in accepting the transfer of former Guantanamo detainees with our European partners and others to help support the closure of the detention facility.

Horn of Africa: Politics and Government

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the current political situation in  (a) Somalia,  (b) Ethiopia and  (c) the surrounding region; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: The Somali Parliament expanded its number of seats by 275 during the latest round of talks in Djibouti in the last week of January. Over 150 new Members of Parliament (MPs) were sworn in. The MPs elected a new President, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, on 31 January 2009, who will lead the Somali government. It is too early to assess whether this development will help to produce the broad-based government Somalia needs, although the expansion of Parliament is in itself a positive development.
	We are working with the Ethiopian government to ensure political space is maintained ahead of the Ethiopian national elections next year. Our current concerns focus around the passing of a law regulating non-governmental organisation social advocacy, and the re-arrest of the opposition politician Birtukan Midekssa.
	We welcomed the completion of Ethiopia's mission in Somalia, and its withdrawal.
	The UN Security Council (UNSC) recently passed a resolution condemning Eritrea for its incursion into Djibouti in June 2008. We will continue to monitor the dispute, paying particular attention to the deadline set by the UNSC for Eritrea to take action to engage on and resolve the dispute with Djibouti.
	In relation to the Ethiopia-Eritrea border dispute, while there has been no recent fighting, a resolution of the underlying problem currently appears unlikely.

India: Terrorism

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Indian counterpart about international terrorism.

Bill Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary visited India on 13-15 January 2009. During his visit he met his Indian counterpart, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, where they discussed the challenge that both the UK and India face from international terrorism, and the importance of strengthening bilateral counter terrorism cooperation.
	Following his subsequent visit to Islamabad on 16-17 January 2009, the Foreign Secretary outlined in a letter to External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee the messages he gave to the government of Pakistan. He highlighted the need for Pakistan to take rapid, concrete action to bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks to justice and to dismantle terror networks operating on Pakistani soil.

Iran: Proscribed Organisations

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the government of Iran on the decision to de-proscribe the People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran as a terrorist organisation within the European Union; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The status of the Mujaheddin-e-Khalq (MEK, also known as the People's Mujahedeen Organisation of Iran or PMOI) has been regularly discussed by Ministers and officials in meetings with their Iranian counterparts, most recently, on 7 February 2009, when the speaker of the Iranian parliament, Ali Larijani, raised the issue with me.
	On 26 January 2009 the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council adopted a new list of proscribed organisations and individuals, which did not include the PMOI.

Middle East: Armed Conflict

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the number of civilians who were allegedly  (a) killed and  (b) injured (i) in booby-trapped houses and (ii) by bombs placed by Hamas in the Gaza Strip during the recent hostilities; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health (as at 5 February 2009) between 27 December 2008 and 18 January 2009 1,440 Palestinians were killed during the recent conflict in Gaza, of whom 431 were children and 114 were women.
	The number of injuries stands at 5,380, of whom 1,872 are children and 800 are women.
	We are unable to verify these figures or who was responsible these deaths or injuries occurred.

Middle East: Armed Conflict

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the number of  (a) rockets and  (b) mortar shells fired at Israel since 18 January 2009; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: As at 9 February 2009, according to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, over 30 rockets, mortar shells and Grad missiles have been fired at Israel since the 18 January 2009.

Middle East: Armed Conflict

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the presence in the Gaza Strip of Iranian-made weapons; what assessment he has made of such reports; and what assessment he has made of the extent of the  (a) cognisance of and  (b) involvement in such activity by the Iranian government.

David Miliband: Due to the sensitive nature of the reporting concerned we are unable to comment on this matter in detail.
	However, we have long had serious concerns about the support that Iran provides in the form of funding, training and arms supplies to groups which are undermining peace in the Middle East through violence, including Hamas. Such support is unacceptable and only serves to undermine regional security. We hope that Iran will instead give political and diplomatic support to the Palestinian Authority in its attempts to build institutions and improve security.

Middle East: Peace Negotiations

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the grade and salary range was of each member of his Department's staff seconded to support the Quartet Middle East Envoy in  (a) 2007 and  (b) 2008; how many such staff at each grade and salary range will be so seconded in 2009; how much his Department spent on such staff in (i) 2007 and (ii) 2008; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has seconded: one higher executive officer equivalent (salary range 23,157 to 31,495); one Grade 7 equivalent (salary range 38,852 to 53,783); and one senior civil servant (salary range 57,300 to 116,000) to work in the right hon. Tony Blair's office between 2007-08. This is not set to change in 2009. The FCO is funding their salaries.
	A locally engaged secondee to the Office of the Quartet Representative in Jerusalem from October 2007 to August 2008 was also funded through the Conflict Prevention Pool at a cost of 30,874. The Department for International Development also funds a secondee to provide expert governance analysis.

Redundancy

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the Answer of 25 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 1208-09W, on redundancy, what estimate he has made of the annual payroll savings resulting from staff exit schemes in  (a) 2005-06,  (b) 2006-07,  (c) 2007-08 and  (d) 2008-09, excluding the cost of severance packages; and what estimate he has made of such savings to be accrued by his Department in (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11.

Gillian Merron: holding answer 5 February 2009
	 The annual payroll savings resulting from departures under staff exit schemes in 2007-08 were 5.7 million and in 2008-09 3.5 million. Complete records are not held centrally for 2005-06 or 2006-07 and to obtain them would incur disproportionate cost.
	The figures given for severance commitments in my answer of 25 November 2008 represented the total cost to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (to be paid out over periods of up to 10 years following the departure date) of all the severance packages agreed each year.
	Reliable estimates of the balance between cost and savings of these departures would require calculating the annual payments and foregone salary up to age 60 for each member of staff who left under the schemes between 2005 and 2009. This would incur disproportionate cost.
	All severance packages authorised under our early retirement schemes were calculated in strict accordance with the Civil Service Compensation Scheme.
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not plan any large-scale exit schemes for the years 2009-10 and 2010-11.

Somalia: Armed Conflict

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the security situation in the Somali capital in the light of reports that Islamist forces have entered the city.

David Miliband: Although still fragile, security in the Somali capital appears to have improved since Ethiopia withdrew its troops and some displaced people are returning to the city. Some of the forces now in Mogadishu have been described as Islamist, but only a small number are extremist anti-government fighters, some of whom are known as the Shabaab.

Sri Lanka

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what  (a) meetings and  (b) other contacts he has had with representatives of the Sri Lankan government in 2009.

Bill Rammell: On 30 January 2009, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary telephoned President Rajapakse to discuss the current situation in Sri Lanka and to reiterate his call for a humanitarian ceasefire. Officials from our High Commission hold regular talks with the Sri Lankan government.

Sudan: Politics and Government

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he plans to monitor the political situation in the Nuba Mountains; and what steps his Department is taking to support the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in the region.

Gillian Merron: Our embassy in Khartoum monitors the situation in the Nuba Mountains through its contacts with the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), the government of Sudan and both parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), the National Congress Party and the Sudanese Peoples Liberation Movement, and other contacts within Sudan including the Assessment and Evaluation Commission (AEC).
	We are supporting implementation of the CPA in the region through active participation in the Three Areas Working Group of the AEC, which visited South Kordofan, including the Nuba Mountains, in November 2008. We and other donors are providing funding for community based peace building efforts in the region.

Tony Blair

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2009,  Official Report, column 893W, on Tony Blair, how much expenditure has been  (a) incurred by and  (b) reimbursed to the Quartet Representative in each year since his appointment.

Bill Rammell: We do not directly oversee or reimburse expenses incurred by the Quartet Representative.
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has seconded: one higher executive officer equivalent (salary range 23,157 to 31, 495); one Grade 7 equivalent (salary range 38,852 to 53,783); and one senior civil servant (salary range 57,300 to 116,000) to work in the right hon. Tony Blair's office between 2007-2008. This is not set to change in 2009. The FCO is funding their salaries.

Zimbabwe: Politics and Government

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent proposals the UK has put forward to resolve the political situation in Zimbabwe; and what plans he has to place the situation in Zimbabwe on the formal agenda of the UN Security Council.

David Miliband: On 30 January, the MDC announced the acceptance of the power sharing accord brokered at the SADC summit on 26 January. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary issued a statement in response on 30 January.
	We have always said that we can not see how a government that includes Mugabe can work. But we have also been clear that it is up to Zimbabweans to decide their own future. Our hope is that the parties can make the agreed work. We will judge the new government on its actions. In common with other members of the international community, we will be looking for the government to demonstrate, through its actions, a commitment to reform.
	We would expect, in the coming days and weeks, to see the release of political prisoners, an immediate end to political violence and intimidation, the repeal of repressive legislation, the appointment of a credible finance team, and a clear roadmap to the next national elections. Our formal engagement, including the provision of donor support and the continuation of our efforts to encourage increased UN engagement, will depend on how the government meets these expectations.

Zimbabwe: Politics and Government

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the Government has had with the new unity government of Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: The new unity Government were sworn in on 13 February 2009. Our engagement with the new Government, including the provision of donor support, will be dependent on the how the new Government demonstrate, through their actions, a commitment to change and reform.

Departmental Mobile Phones

Francis Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster with reference to the answer of 14 July 2008,  Official Report, column 154W, on departmental telephones, how many Cabinet Office mobile telephones procured for official use through the Vodafone contracts have been replaced due to  (a) loss,  (b) theft or  (c) damage in the last 18 months.

Kevin Brennan: The Cabinet Office has recorded that of the mobile phones procured for official use under the Vodafone contracts, 11 have been reported lost, two stolen and 14 damaged during the past 18 months.

Departmental Plants

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  how much his Department has spent on potted plants in each of the last three years;
	(2)  how much the Cabinet Office has spent on flowers in each of the last three years;
	(3)  how much has been spent on  (a) pot plants and  (b) cut flowers for No. 10 Downing Street in each of the last three years.

Kevin Brennan: The Prime Minister's Office forms an integral part of the Cabinet Office.
	I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban) by my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Gillian Merron) on 17 October 2007,  Official Report, column 1131W and to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Watson) on 11 March 2008,  Official Report, column 324W.

Departmental Procurement

Margaret Moran: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what his Department's  (a) procurement and  (b) tendering policy is in respect of social enterprises.

Kevin Brennan: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to her by the then Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Phil Hope) on 4 March 2008,  Official Report, columns 2483-84W.

Government Information Services: Public Consultation

Andrew Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the set-up costs of the website www.showusabetterway.co.uk were; what the  (a) operating and  (b) maintenance costs of the website were in the last 12 months; and how many hits the site received during the last 12 months.

Tom Watson: The Show Us A Better Way competition sought ideas from the public on how to reuse public information to better deliver public servicesthe best ones would get developed 'to the next level'. It was hosted online through:
	http://typepad.com
	The platform supported both:
	www.showusabetterway.com
	and
	www.buildingdemocracy.co.uk
	www.showusabetterway.com
	received 224,421 page views and
	www.buildingdemocracy.co.uk
	received 25,405 over their lifetime.
	The overall cost for developing the backend and designing the two sites was 9,223.75 (including COI fees of 650 and VAT at 17.5 per cent.). Operation and maintenance is done by existing civil servants within existing budgets: it takes very little time due to the blog structure. A years hosting cost $149.50.

Non-profit Making Associations

Margaret Moran: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will update the Think Smart: think voluntary sector good practice guidance on procurement to include social enterprise.

Kevin Brennan: I have no plans to update the Think Smart: Think Voluntary Sector guidance. Although the title refers to the voluntary sector, the key messages embedded in the document of improving the participation of third sector organisations in public service contracting are relevant for all third sector organisations including social enterprises.

Public Sector: Manpower

Francis Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 27 January 2009,  Official Report, column 468W, on central government: manpower, which public sector bodies which were classified as central government for the purpose of employee headcounts were not included within the Civil Service as of  (a) April 1997 and  (b) the most recent date for which data is available.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated February 2009:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning which public sector bodies were classified as central government for the purpose of employee headcounts, but were not included within the Civil Service as of (a) April 1997 and (b) the most recent date for which data is available.
	Detailed information about the public bodies surveyed as part of the 1997 data collection which were classified as central government for the purpose of employee headcounts, but not included within the Civil Service is not available.
	The most recent date for which estimates are available is September 2008. A full breakdown of public sector bodies not included within the Civil Service employee headcount is attached at Annex A.
	 Annex A
	Public Sector Bodies classified as Central Government (for the purpose of employee headcount) but not included within Civil Service.
	 September 2008
	HM Forces
	National Health ServiceScotland
	National Health ServiceWales
	National Health ServiceEngland
	PoliceEngland and Wales
	Central GovernmentNorthern Ireland
	Probation Service England and Wales
	 Other Central Government:
	Academy of St. Francis of Assisi
	ADT College
	AdvantageWest Midlands
	Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board
	Arts and Humanities Research Council
	Arts Council of England (including all English Regional offices of The Arts Boards)
	Bacon College
	Bank of England
	Barrow Green Court
	Bexley Business Academy Ltd
	Big Lottery Fund (formerly New Opportunities Fund)
	Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
	Bord Gaidhlig Naa H-Alba (The Gaelic Development Agency)
	Botanies Trading Company Ltd
	BPEX
	BRB (Residuary) Limited
	Brit School for Performing Arts and Technology
	British Broadcasting Corporation including BBC Resources Ltd
	British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (BECTA)
	British Film institute
	British Film institute (Big Screen) Ltd including Connoisseur Video Ltd
	British Museum
	British Potato Council
	Brooke Weston Technology College
	Bwrdd Yr iaith Gymraeg
	Capital City Academy Trust
	Care Council for Wales
	Careers Scotland
	Child and Family Court Advisory and Support Service
	Children's Commissioner for Wales
	Churches Conservation Trust
	City Technology College Kinghurst
	Coal Authority
	Commission for Architecture and The Built Environment (GSCC)
	Commission for Equality and Human Rights
	Commission for Local Administration in Wales
	Commission for Local Administration England
	Commission for Rural Communities
	Commission for Social Care inspection
	Commonwealth War Graves Commission
	Community Development Foundation
	Competition Commission
	Competition Service
	Construction Industry Training Board
	Consumer Council for Postal Services
	Consumer Council for Water
	Countryside Council for Wales
	Criminal Cases Review Commission
	Crofters Commission
	Deer Commission for Scotland
	Diplomatic Service
	Dixon City Academy
	Djanogly City Academy Nottingham
	East Midlands Development Agency
	East Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association
	East of England Development Agency (EEDA)
	EBLEX Ltd
	Economic and Social Research Council
	Electoral Commission
	Emmanuel College
	Engineering Construction industry Training Board
	English Heritage
	English Partnerships
	Film Council Ltd
	Food from Britain
	Football Licensing Authority
	Gangmasters Licensing Authority
	Gas and Electricity Consumer Council
	Geffrye Museum Trust Limited
	General Social Care Council (GSCC)
	Grace Academy
	Greater Manchester Museum of Science and Industry
	Greig City Academy
	Haberdashers Askes Hatcham College
	Harris Academy Merton
	Harris City Technology College
	Healthcare Commission
	Higher Education Funding Council for England
	Higher Education Funding Council for Wales
	Highland RFC Association
	Highlands and Islands Enterprise (including all Regions)
	Home-Grown Cereals Authority
	Horserace Betting Levy Board
	House of Commons (Staff)
	Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority
	Imperial War Museum
	Independent Housing Ombudsman
	Independent Living Funds
	Independent Police Complaints Commission
	Independent Safeguarding Authority
	Investors in People UK
	John Cabot City Technology College
	John Madejski Academy
	Joint Nature Conservation Committee
	Kings Academy
	Landau Forte College
	Learning and Skills Council
	Learning and Teaching Scotland
	Legal Services Commission
	Leigh City Technical College
	Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru
	Local Boundary Commission for Scotland
	Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales
	London 2012 Ltd
	London Thames Gateway Development Corporation
	Macmillan City Technical College
	Medical Research Council
	Mossbourne Academy
	National Army Museum
	National Audit Office
	National Biological Standards Board
	National College for School Leadership
	National Consumer Council including Ltd
	National Endowment for Science Technology and The Arts
	National Forest Company
	National Galleries of Scotland
	National Gallery
	National Heritage Memorial Fund
	National Institute of Adult Continuing Education
	National Library of Scotland
	National Lottery Commission
	National Museums and Galleries of Wales
	National Museums Liverpool
	National Museums of Scotland
	National Policing Improvement Agency
	National Portrait Gallery
	Natural England
	New Assembly Parliamentary Service
	NMSI Trading Ltd
	North Liverpool Academy
	North West Development Agency
	Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
	Office of The Immigration Services Commissioner
	Office of The information Commissioner
	Olympic Delivery Authority
	One Northeast
	Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council
	Partnership for Schools
	Passenger Focus
	Pensions Regulator
	Petchey Academy
	Plymouth Marine Laboratory
	Public Lending Right
	Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
	RBG Kew Enterprises Ltd
	Reserve Forces and Cadet Association for East Anglia
	Reserve Forces and Cadet Association for The New England and Isle of Man
	Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for Greater London
	Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for Wales
	Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for Yorkshire and the Humber
	Royal Botanic Gardens
	Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales
	Royal Household
	Royal Marines Museum
	Royal Naval Museum
	Royal Naval Submarine Museum
	S4C Masnachol Cyf including S4C Rhyngwladol Cyf, S4C2 and The Nursery Channel
	Scottish Children's Reporter Admin
	Scottish Enterprise
	Scottish Environment Protection Agency
	Scottish Funding Councils for Further and Higher Education
	Scottish Legal Aid Board
	Scottish Natural Heritage
	Scottish Parliament Corporate Body
	Scottish Police Services Authority
	Scottish Public Services Ombudsman
	Scottish Qualifications Authority
	Scottish Social Services Council
	Sea Fish industry Authority
	Sector Skills Development Agency
	Security Industry Authority
	Serious Organised Crime Agency
	Sir John Soane's Museum
	South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)
	South East Reserve Forces and Cadets Association
	South West of England Regional Development Agency
	sportscotland
	St. Paul's Academy
	Stockley Academy
	Student Loans Company Limited
	Teacher Training Agency
	Technology Strategy Board
	The Academy At Peckham
	The Arts Council of Wales Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru
	The Board of Science Museum
	The British Library
	The City Academy Bristol
	The City of London Academy
	The Design Council
	The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
	The English Sports Council including The English Sports Council
	The Environment Agency (including all Regional Divisions)
	The Forestry Commission including Forest Enterprise and Forest Research
	The Gambling Commission
	The Horniman Public Museum and Public Park Trust
	The Housing Corporation
	The London Academy
	The Museums Libraries and Archives Council
	The Natural Environment Research Council
	The Natural History Museum (including The Natural History Museum Trading Co Ltd)
	The Parole Board
	The Royal Air Force Museum
	The Royal Armouries
	The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
	The Royal Commission On The Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland
	The Scottish Arts Council
	The Scottish Commission for The Regulation of Care
	The Skills Development Scotland
	The Sports Council for Wales
	The Standards Board for England
	The Standards Commission for Scotland
	The United Kingdom Sports Council
	The Wallace Collection
	The Water Industry Commissioner for Scotland
	The Wessex Reserve forces and Cadets Association
	Thomas Telford School
	Tourism Quality Services Ltd
	Trinity Academy
	Trustees for National Maritime Museum including National Maritime Museum Enterprises Ltd
	Trustees of the Tate Gallery
	United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
	United Learning Trust Academies
	Unity City Academy Trust
	V and A Enterprises Ltd
	Valuation Tribunal Service
	Victoria and Albert Museum
	VisitBritain
	VisitScotland
	Walsall City Academy Trust Ltd
	Welsh Fourth Channel Authority
	West London Academy Ltd
	West Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadet Association
	West Northamptonshire Development Corporations
	Westminster Academy
	Yorkshire Forward
	Youth Justice Board for England and Wales

Public Sector: Manpower

Francis Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 27 January 2009,  Official Report, columns 468-73W, on central government: manpower, what changes have been made to the methodology for calculating the Civil Service headcount since May 1997.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated February 2009:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question concerning what changes have been made to the methodology for calculating the Civil Service headcount since May 1997.
	Estimates for the home civil service from Q3 2004 onwards are taken from the Civil Service element of the Quarterly Public Sector Employment Survey (QPSES). Estimates prior to this date are based on results from the Civil Service Statistics publication (Mandate collection) available for 1 April and 1 October. A quarterly path back to 1991 was estimated by Office for National Statistics (ONS) using standard procedures.
	In 2005, ONS, in collaboration with other departments and the devolved administrations, implemented major improvements to public sector employment estimates. Standard definitions for public sector employment across all departmental statistics were agreed and a single definitive set of quarterly public sector employment estimates introduced.
	The following are changes in definition that were implemented as part of the transition to QPSES. To maintain consistency with Cabinet Office no revisions were made to previously published statistics.
	Self-employed, contract workers and agency temporary workers should be excluded from estimates.
	Workers who only work part of the year (for example, those on casual or annualised hours contracts) should be counted at the time they are being paid for  if they are not working but are still being paid they should be included. If they are not working and not being paid at the reference point they should be excluded from the statistics.
	Employees on different types of leave should be treated in the following way in headcounts:
	All those on paid maternity leave should be included.
	All those on paid sick leave (being paid either in full or part) should be included.
	All those on paid special leave should be included.
	Those employees on short-term unpaid leave should be included if they are on leave for a period for less than their pay period  they should be included even if they are absent on the reference date. If they are off for a period longer than their pay period then they should be excluded (for example, someone on a career break).
	
		
			  Unemployed people aged 16-24, by region Quarter 3 1997 to 2006; all calendar quarters from quarter 4 2006 to quarter 4 2008 United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			  Thousand 
			North East  North West  Yorkshire and Humberside  East Midlands  West Midlands  Eastern  London 
			 1997 Q3 39 93 60 42 74 54 118 
			 1998 Q3 34 87 67 44 61 46 105 
			 1999 Q3 44 84 56 53 65 46 85 
			 2000 Q3 45 74 61 44 63 35 99 
			 2001 Q3 29 74 49 40 59 54 99 
			 2002 Q3 28 69 63 40 73 47 97 
			 2003 Q3 39 80 52 43 74 46 105 
			 2004 Q3 36 76 60 40 80 48 118 
			 2005 Q3 44 78 64 42 63 49 117 
			 2006 Q3 42 96 81 62 86 59 122 
			  
			 2006 Q4 29 81 71 59 72 49 99 
			  
			 2007 Q1 33 78 67 61 68 51 93 
			 2007 Q2 37 78 60 49 72 51 96 
			 2007 Q3 40 106 68 66 85 72 104 
			 2007 Q4 29 87 64 51 54 48 100 
			  
			 2008 Q1 30 82 52 56 64 54 95 
			 2008 Q2 36 85 72 57 64 58 96 
			 2008 Q3 50 120 95 69 82 63 116 
			 2008 Q4 (***)42 (**)112 (***)72 (***)50 (**)80 (***)63 (**)110 
		
	
	
		
			  Thousand 
			South East  South West  Wales  Scotland  Northern Ireland  Total 
			 1997 Q3 74 40 38 69 23 724 
			 1998 Q3 74 47 43 72 19 690 
			 1999 Q3 64 37 36 63 (1) 651 
			 2000 Q3 58 38 39 64 (1) 631 
			 2001 Q3 64 39 32 69 20 620 
			 2002 Q3 74 41 30 72 17 6-19 
			 2003 Q3 75 36 34 70 (1) 669 
			 2004 Q3 68 40 36 62 (1) 681 
			 2005 Q3 01 46 37 66 (1) 701 
			 2006 Q3 88 49 38 60 (1) 797 
			 
			 2006 Q4 72 45 39 50 (1) 676 
			 
			 2007 Q1 73 51 33 51 (1) 669 
			 2007 Q2 75 39 42 62 (1) 675 
			 2007 Q3 98 53 38 60 (1) 806 
			 2007 Q4 92 34 30 57 (1) 663 
			 
			 2008 Q1 70 40 28 56 (1) 642 
			 2008 Q2 76 35 29 54 (1) 676 
			 2008 Q3 96 52 49 55 (1) 864 
			 2008(2) Q4 (**)92 (***)48 (***)49 (***)55 (****) (*)793 
			 (1 )Sample size too small for reliable estimate. (2 )Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates, as described below:  Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV  for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5 per cent. we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220.  Key  Coefficient of Variation (CV) (%) Statistical robustness  * 0 = CV 5 Estimates are considered precise. ** 5 = CV 10 Estimates are considered reasonably precise. *** 10 = CV 20 Estimates are considered acceptable. **** CV = 20 Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes and have not been provided. It should be noted that the above estimates exclude people in most types of communal establishment (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels, mobile home sites etc).  Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS)

Regent College, Leicester

Peter Soulsby: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what recent progress has been made on his Department's plans to assist the modernisation of the buildings of Regent College, Leicester.

Si�n Simon: Since 1997, this Government have invested 2.4 billion in redeveloping and modernising further education colleges. In addition we have plans to invest a further 2.3 billion in the next three years.
	In total, since the programme began, nearly 700 projects, at 330 colleges have been agreed.
	But the pace of demand for capital funding has increased. Projects and the scale of Government funding they require are becoming increasingly ambitious. In addition there are signs that the ability of colleges to raise their own funds for proposed projects is being affected by the downturn.
	It is for this reason that over the last few weeks the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) have been working closely with colleges that have submitted or are working on bids, to look at the individual current positions before making further funding decisions. As a result of this the consideration of a small number of applications that were due for decisionboth in principle and in detailhas been deferred from December to March.
	As your question relates to an operational matter for the LSC. Mark Haysom will write to my hon. Friend with the further information requested. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Libraries.

Students: Loans

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills 
	(1)  what the  (a) highest and  (b) average monthly repayment to the Student Loans Company has been for students graduating in (i) 2002 and (ii) 2008;
	(2)  what the  (a) highest and  (b) average amount owed to the Student Loans Company was by students graduating from UK universities in 2008.

David Lammy: holding answer 10 February 2009
	Borrowers who graduated in 2002 with income-contingent loans would generally be included in the 2003 repayment cohort, i.e. those required to begin repaying loans from April 2003 if their income was high enough. The average annual repayment for this cohort was 600 in tax year 2006-07, equivalent to a monthly repayment of 50. Repayments are linked to income; borrowers repay 9 per cent. of earnings over 15,000.
	Students who graduated in 2008 will generally be required to start repaying student loans from April 2009, if their income is above the 15,000 threshold.
	Data is not yet available for the average amount owed by students who graduated in 2008. The average amount owed for the cohort of students who were liable to repay from April 2008 was 9,580.
	The highest monthly repayment and highest amount owed cannot be disclosed as this could potentially identify an individual.

Broadband

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make it his policy to ensure that consumers seeking to purchase home broadband services have the option of purchasing such services without voice services; and if he will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: h olding  answer 2 February 2009
	I have been asked to reply.
	There are no regulatory barriers preventing the development of broadband services without a voice service ('naked DSL') and nothing therefore preventing a commercial operator offering the service, indeed Virgin Media offer a broadband only service ('naked cable').
	While some ADSL broadband customers may not want a traditional voice telephone service, they may still require the telephone line to deliver their broadband. Although a subscriber may no longer require a traditional voice telephone service therefore, there remains a cost to be met for the provision, maintenance and operation of the line. The majority of the line rental charge covers these costs.
	Ofcom reports that over the past five years several operators have considered offering a broadband only service. However, such a service has never been launched. Given the level of competition in this market and the fact that several operators have considered offering a broadband only service it would appear that no operator has identified a commercial case for such a product.

Crown Lands and Estates

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what his policy is on the upkeep from the public purse of properties owned by the Royal Family.

Barbara Follett: Grant in aid is not provided by the Department for the upkeep of properties owned by members of the royal family in a private capacity. Grant in aid is provided to the royal household annually only to meet the costs of property maintenance, and of utilities telephones and related services at the Occupied Royal Palaces in England, as these are held in trust for the nation by the Queen as sovereign and are used in fulfilling the role and functions of the Head of State. The Occupied Royal Palaces are Buckingham Palace, St. James's Palace, Clarence House, Marlborough House Mews, the residential and office areas of Kensington Palace, the Royal Mews and Royal Paddocks at Hampton Court, and Windsor Castle and buildings in the Home and Great Parks at Windsor.

Legacy Trust UK: Grants

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 10 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1889W, on Legacy Trust UK, if he will place in the Library a copy of the list of the grants Legacy Trust UK has made to date.

Andy Burnham: I am arranging for copies of the list of grants Legacy Trust UK has made to date to be placed in the House Libraries.

Leisure: Urban Areas

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding his Department is providing for recreational activity for inner-city children in 2008-09.

Gerry Sutcliffe: DCMS channels its funding mainly via our family of non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). NDPBs are tasked with delivery of our overall strategies, including delivery of many bespoke programmes and projects.
	At headline level DCMS does not target inner-city areas for special funding arrangements although NDPBs occasionally do target similar demographics via particular programmes or work streams.
	Some of the key DCMS initiatives schemes, aimed at providing access and opportunity for all, will have particular beneficial effects on inner-city children. This list is certainly not exhaustive and further details of individual work strands can be found on the website of the DCMS family at
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/about_us/our_sponsored_bodies/default.aspx
	 Sport
	Through our PE and Sport Strategy for Young People, delivered jointly with DCSF, the Government are investing at least 783 million over 2008-11 to offer five hours of quality PE and sport to all pupils in England. This includes 22.8 million from my Department in 2008-09.
	The strategy reaches into every maintained school, and so provides a wide range of recreational sporting opportunities for children living in inner-city areas.
	Our key delivery partners, the Youth Sport Trust and Sport England, work with a wide range of national, regional and local partners including schools, sports clubs and youth and community organisations to attract more young people into sport across the country, including inner-city areas.
	Sport England which is an NDPB and National Lottery distributor, focuses on ensuring quality sporting opportunities exist beyond the school gates, enabling children and young people to migrate from the school environment to community sport. Reaching out to diverse communities is a vital part of their work.
	 Free Swimming
	Local authorities across the country have signed up to the Government's initiative to offer free swimming to both those aged 16 and under and over 60. The local authorities that: have opted in to offer the scheme to both age groups have also received a share of a 10 million capital fund to spend on modernising or improving pool provision in time for the start of the two-year scheme in 2009. Those local authorities that will offer free swimming to both age groups also stand to benefit from a further 25 million capital challenge fund in both 2009-10 and 2010-11 to spend on improving pool provision. Many inner-city local authorities have taken up this opportunity. Details of participating Authorities can be found at:
	www.culture.gov.uk/images/publications/freeswimming-finalallocations.pdf
	 Culture
	Through Arts Council England DCMS provided funding of almost 8.5 million between January 2008 and December 2008. This provided recreational activity for inner city children aged 0-15 years in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield, Liverpool, Leeds, Bristol, Nottingham, and Portsmouth. These cities are top ten (by population) primary urban areas as defined by DCLG 'State of the Cities' database 2007.
	 Find Your Talent
	In February last year the Government announced the new 25 million Find Your Talent (FYT) Pathfinder programme to trial different ways of delivering a five hour cultural offer for children and young people aged 0-19. The Pathfinders, running for three years were launched in September last year.
	Our ambition is to offer all children high quality cultural experiences no matter where they live or what their background and the Find Your Talent programme is part of the Government's drive to unlock the creative talent of all young people.
	This is on top of the investment the Government already put into cultural education programme. This means we fund cultural opportunities on a national scale and these funds are distributed to regions and localities via our funded bodies who fund projects in inner city areas and beyond.
	The ten Find Your Talent Pathfinder projects are listed and include inner-city areas:
	Bolton Borough Council
	The Creative Foundation (serving Shepway District and including Folkestone,
	Hythe and Romney Marsh)
	Customs House (North and South Tyneside)
	Hampshire County Council
	Leeds Children's Services
	Leicestershire County Council
	'Liverpool City Region' Partnership (serving three Merseyside neighbourhoods)
	North Somerset
	Telford and Wrekin Council
	Tower Hamlets
	 Museums
	In addition to the above initiatives and schemes, inner-city areas are well serviced by Museums offering free admission. A list of museums that form part of the DCMS family of NDPBs can be found at the above link. In 2007-08 there were eight million visits by children (aged 15 and under) to the DCMS sponsored museums.

Licensed Premises

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many complaints his Department has received from  (a) members of the public,  (b) police authorities and  (c) local authorities on the operation of the Licensing Act 2003.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Department's first evaluation of the impact of the Licensing Act 2003 in March 2008 showed that the police have welcomed their new powers and provided evidence that local people are much better engaged than they were under the old licensing regime. Also, information and case studies we gathered from scrutiny councils as part of the review suggested that initial benefits were developing into longer term trends and that the Act is having a real impact on key issues such as crime and disorder and sales of alcohol to children. The Department does receive a number of letters, mainly from the public, where concerns are raised but it is not possible to categorically state which of these could be classified as complaints. We have always maintained that licensing is not the only solution to problems related to crime and disorder and nuisance and we continue to liaise with local authority representatives, police representatives, and other Government Departments (notably, the Home Office and the Department of Health, which have overall responsibility for the Government's renewed alcohol strategy) to develop new measures for combating these social problems.

Licensed Premises

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many 24-hour late licences have been granted by local authorities in England and Wales since the Licensing Act 2003 came into force.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The latest Alcohol Entertainment and Late Night Refreshment Licensing Bulletin reports as of 31 March 2008 there were an estimated 6,700 premises licences with 24 hour alcohol permissions under the Licensing Act 2003. This figure is comprised of 700 pubs, bars and nightclubs; 1,300 supermarkets and stores; 4,100 hotel bars; and 600 other types of premises. Together they account for under 4 per cent. of all premises licensed for the sale of alcohol. Most 24 hour licences are held by hotels, making alcohol available to guests round the clock, which would have existed under the previous regime.

Licensed Premises

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many late licences to open until  (a) midnight,  (b) 1.00 am,  (c) 2.00 am,  (d) 3.00 am and  (e) 4.00 am have been granted by local authorities in England and Wales since the Licensing Act 2003 came into force.

Gerry Sutcliffe: We do not hold the requested information centrally. It should be noted that the times on a licence do not show the actual opening hours which will often be less as the licence provides flexibility. However, we did commission work for the evaluation of the impact of the Licensing Act 2003 (available from the House Library) which shows actual closing times on a Saturday night, provided by licensees. The summary shows, for example, that pub closures have increased by up to 27 minutes to a 11.30pm average closing time and that bar closures are up 28 minutes to a midnight average closing time.

Non-Departmental Public Bodies

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the Answer of 26 January 2009,  Official Report, column 57W, on non-departmental public bodies, what the 19 requests were received by his Department for approval to incur expenditure over the delegated limits set out in the financial memoranda of his Department's non-departmental public bodies; and whether each request was accepted.

Andy Burnham: The 19 requests mentioned in my reply of 26 January are listed as follows:
	British Museum: request for approval of North-West Development projectcurrently under consideration;
	English Heritage: request to make grantcurrently under consideration;
	English Heritage: request to grant compensation following a refusal of Scheduled Ancient Monument Consentapproved;
	English Heritage: request to grant compensation following a refusal of Scheduled Ancient Monument Consentapproved;
	English Heritage: request for approval of contract at Chiswick Houseapproved;
	English Heritage: request for approval of a contract at Chapter House, Westminster Abbeyapproved;
	Sir John Soane's Museum: request for approval of Soane Masterplan projectapproved;
	Tate: request for approval of National Art Collections Centre projectcurrently under consideration;
	Visit Britain: request for approval of a contractcurrently under consideration.
	In addition to these, my reply included 10 requests from the Olympic Delivery Authority to incur expenditure. These were made under the standard procedure whereby the Olympic Projects Review Group examines and makes recommendations on the budget of each Olympic project where the value is in excess of 20 million. These requests were as follows:
	Security Project IIIcurrently under consideration;
	Landscape and Public Realmapproved;
	Olympic Route Networkapproved;
	Olympic Villageapproved;
	Security Project IIapproved;
	International Broadcast Centre/Media Press Centreapproved;
	Velodromeapproved;
	Gas, Water and Duct Networksapproved;
	Primary Sewer and Pumping Stationapproved;
	Security Project Iapproved.

Public Houses: Rural Areas

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will commission research into the social benefits provided by rural public houses.

Andy Burnham: There are currently no plans to undertake research into the social benefits provided by rural pubs. However the Government are fully aware of the valuable role pubs can play at the heart of rural communities and my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, announced on 5 February a number of new initiatives to support rural businesses, including pubs. These new schemes will complement existing initiates such as 'Pub is the Hub' which was set up in 2001, through the Rural Action Programme of Business in the Community, to encourage breweries, pub owners, licensees and local communities to work together to help retain and enhance rural services in isolated rural areas.

Regional Cultural Consortia

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for South West Surrey of 16 October 2008,  Official Report, columns 1390-91W, on regional cultural consortia: finance, what assessment has been made of the extent to which regional cultural consortia have provided value for money since their establishment.

Barbara Follett: Since their establishment, the performance of the Regional Cultural Consortiums (RCCs) has been monitored on an ongoing basis through regular feedback to my officials, and reported on each year through their annual reports and accounts.
	In early 2002, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport conducted a review of the consortiums to assess the effectiveness of their operations. The review found that the consortiums were performing a key role in the regions.
	Following further consideration of the collaborative working of the Department's regional agencies, the Secretary of State decided in July 2008 that the consortiums should be replaced with new regional arrangements led jointly by Arts Council England, English Heritage, Museums, Libraries and Archives Council and Sport England.

Regional Cultural Consortia

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for South West Surrey of 16 October 2008,  Official Report, column 1391W, on regional cultural consortiums: finance, what the administrative cost of each consortium was in each year from its establishment to its dissolution.

Barbara Follett: My Department has provided the following grant in aid to each of the Regional Cultural Consortiums, in each financial year since 2003-04.
	
		
			  Regional cultural consortiums outturn 
			  000 
			   Outturn 
			  Regional Cultural Consortium  2003 - 04  2004 - 05  2005 - 06  2006 - 07  2007 - 08 
			 Living East 180 209 233 215 230 
			 Culture South East 205 209 224 215 260 
			 Culture North East 197 210 221 215 220 
			 Culture North West 208 209 223 215 230 
			 Yorkshire Culture 208 209 221 215 230 
			 Culture East Midlands 141 210 236 215 243 
			 Culture South West 206 209 222 215 230 
			 Culture West Midlands 223 209 261 215 223 
		
	
	We expect all the consortiums to be wound up by the end of 2008-09, at which point accounts for this period will be prepared.

Tourism

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1556W on tourism, when VisitBritain will provide the final submission on the wish list requested by his Department to assist British tourism during the economic downturn.

Barbara Follett: VisitBritain have provided their final submission on the wish list to assist British tourism during the economic downturn, the contents of which are being considered.

Tourism: EU Grants and Loans

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 5 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1418W, on tourism: EU grants and loans, which regional development agencies have submitted a bid for  (a) European Regional Development Fund Objective 2 for Tourism and  (b) European Social Fund for Tourism funds in 2008-09; and how many did so in 2007-08.

Barbara Follett: holding answer 12 February 2009
	Regional development agencies have advised that there were no bids submitted for  (a) European Regional Development Fund Objective 2 for tourism and  (b) European Social Fund for tourism funds in 2007-2008 or 2008-09.

Tourism: Olympic Games 2012

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 26 January 2009,  Official Report, column 60W, on tourism: Olympic Games 2012, on what date VisitBritain was informed that he had no plans to provide additional funding for tourism in respect of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games in the present comprehensive spending round.

Barbara Follett: holding answer 10 February 2009
	In respect of additional or special funding for the marketing of the 2012 Olympic games and Paralympic games for tourism purposes, VisitBritain were first informed that nothing would be added to their baseline funding for the period 2008-11 in October 2007 on disclosure of the outcome of the current comprehensive spending review. We have subsequently informed VisitBritain that the matter cannot be reconsidered until the next spending round.

Advanced Extension Award

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pupils were entered for advanced extension award examinations in  (a) maintained schools and  (b) independent schools in each of the last five years.

Jim Knight: Advanced extension awards were first introduced in 2002, however, the Department has only held comprehensive data on these qualifications since 2006.
	The number of advanced extension awards taken in maintained and independent schools in each of the last three years is given as follows:
	
		
			   Maintained schools  Independent schools 
			 2007/08 4,965 3,515 
			 2006/07 5,243 3,846 
			 2005/06 4,695 3,807 
			  Note: These figures relate to 16-18 year olds (age at start of academic year, i.e. 31st August)

Building Schools for the Future Programme

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps Partnerships for Schools is taking to support the Schools Capital programme in the current economic situation; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: Partnerships for Schools is working closely with the Department and HM Treasury to ensure that the programme continues to deliver on time and on budget.
	Despite what continues to be challenging economic conditions, 2009 has begun on a more positive note for BSF than anticipated, with a number of banks indicating they are in the market to finance senior debt in BSF schemes. In addition, companies from beyond the banking sector are showing an interest in entering the market. Discussions are also ongoing with the European Investment Bank.
	PfS is also exploring with the Department and HM Treasury the option of accessing the shorter term debt market to support PFI schemes. This would involve refinancing schemes at seven or 10 years.
	Against this backdrop, BSF continues to deliver. Deals have closed throughout the autumn and now into 2009, with the latest deal to close in Tameside, bringing the total to twenty-nine. Nearly a third of all secondary schools in England are now engaged in BSF, with the 50th school having now opened.

Children in Care

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children have been taken into care in each local authority area in each  (a) month,  (b) quarter and  (c) year since 1 January 2003; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: Figures on the number of children that have been taken into care in each local authority in each month and quarter for the years 2003-04, 2005-06 and 2007-08 has been placed in the Libraries. A full five-year time series from 2003-04 detailing how many children have been taken into care in that year has also been placed in the Libraries.
	Only the first occasion where a child has been taken into care in each financial year has been counted in all of the analysis provided. Subsequent occasions where a child ceases to be looked after and then is taken into care again in another month or quarter in the same financial year have not been included. This analysis can be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
	Information on the number of children that have been taken into care in each month and quarter for the period 2004-05, 2006-07 and pre-April 2003 has not been provided due to disproportionate costs.

Children: Day Care

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what research his Department has undertaken on  (a) charging for extended school activities,  (b) the number of parents claiming child care tax credit for help with funding out of school activities,  (c) the percentage change in the number of parents paying for out of school childcare in the last three years and  (d) the percentage change in the number of parents claiming child care tax credit for help with out of school activities in each of the last three years.

Beverley Hughes: The Department commissioned research from Ipsos MORI (Extended Schools Survey of School, Pupils and Parents, 2009). Schools were asked how they fund activities and child care (multiple choices were possible). The report found that:
	Around three-quarters (73%) of schools that provide childcare, or activities used as childcare, say that users pay for services, although around three in ten (32%) say that the school itself provides funding to enable this service to run. Activities are also most commonly funded by the school (58%), although this is also more likely in secondary schools (74%) and schools in deprived areas (70%). In around two in five cases, the users pay for the service (43%).
	The report also found that:
	Among schools that charge users for childcare and activities, the majority provide help for families who struggle to pay the full fee. Schools most commonly do this by charging a lower fee or waiving payment altogether (53%), or by signposting families to other sources of support such as the Working Tax Credit (49%).
	Of those eligible to benefit from the child care element of tax creditsavailable for working parents to help with the cost of Ofsted-registered child care or activity-based provisiontake up has increased from 14 per cent. in 2004-05 to 17 per cent. in 2006-07. The latest Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) snapshot data shows that 19 per cent. of families were receiving the child care element in December 2008, which equates to about 460,000 families.
	The Department does not collect data on point  (c) of the question.
	HMRC published data does not record what types of provision a family is using.

Children: Protection

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how many serious case reviews have been conducted into the deaths or serious injuries of children in each local authority area in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many Part 8 reviews into child deaths occurred in each local authority area in each of the last five years.

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many serious case reviews have been conducted into the  (a) deaths and  (b) serious injuries of children in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority area.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 8 December 2008
	Data currently held by the Department for Children, Schools and Families indicates that, of all notifications received between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2008 of serious child care incidents, 89 serious case reviews had been initiated where a child died and abuse or neglect was known or suspected to be a factor and 60 were initiated in other circumstances, including where a child sustained a potentially life-threatening injury or serious and permanent impairment of health and development through abuse or neglect. These figures are broken down by local authority in the table, a copy of which has been placed in the Libraries.
	Data prior to 1 April 2007 is not available in this form. However, the Department commissions an academic biennial analysis of all serious case reviews to help ensure lessons are clearly identified and disseminated. The latest report for the period 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2005 indicates that of the 161 serious case reviews in that study, two thirds were commissioned after a child had died and a third after a child was seriously injured. Links to these reports are as follows:
	Analysing Child Deaths and Serious Injury through Abuse: What can we Learn? A Biennial Analysis of Serious Case Reviews 2003-05 at:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/RRP/u014591/index.shtnnl
	Improving Safeguarding PracticeStudy of Serious Case Reviews 2001-03 at:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/RRP/u014711/index.shtml
	Learning from Past ExperienceA Review of Serious Case Reviews at:
	http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4003094
	Information on the number of serious case reviews following the death of a child in each local authority area between 2000 and 2005 has been given in the reply on 24 July 2006,  Official Report, columns 837-39W.

Departmental Pensions

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps his Department is taking to advise staff of pension options available to them in relation to added years or additional voluntary contributions.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme receive an annual benefit statement showing the pension built up to date, and also a projection of their pension on retirement if they continue in service to scheme pension age. The benefit statement prompts the member to consider boosting their pension and provides details of the civil service pensions website (www.civilservice-pensions.gov.uk) where staff can obtain further information, including options for making additional voluntary contributions and a calculator to work out costs for added pension (previously added years).
	New entrants are informed of pension options in the employment offer and are provided with a pension information pack.
	Cabinet Office provides leaflets that explain added pension and additional voluntary contributions for members. The information is also available in scheme booklets. These are available on the civil service pensions website or on request from the member's pensions administrator.
	The Department lists all pension scheme options for employees on its intranet including help and support and updates and links to the Cabinet Office pension website. This website can also be accessed via the Department's intranet.
	Where an employee considers making changes to their pension arrangements based on updated information, the guidance on the intranet always advises that the individual seeks professional financial advice before taking action.

Departmental Publications

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 12 January 2009,  Official Report, columns 9-10W, on departmental publications 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the cost of answering the question, broken down by sub-category of expenditure;
	(2)  which documents were circulated to schools by his Department in exceptional circumstances in 2008.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The cost of preparing an answer to the question was considered likely to exceed the disproportionate cost threshold and, as a consequence, no estimate of likely expenditure was necessary. Similarly, to retrieve the information as to which documents the Department has circulated to schools in exceptional circumstances in 2008 can also be obtained only at a disproportional cost.

Extension Awards

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pupils took advanced extension awards in  (a) the state sector and  (b) the independent sector in each year since 1997.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Advanced Extension Awards were first introduced in 2002, however, the Department has only held comprehensive data on these qualifications since 2006.
	The number of Advanced Extension Awards taken in maintained and independent schools in each of the last three years is provided in the following table:
	
		
			   Maintained  s chools  Independent s chools 
			 2007-2008 4,965 3,515 
			 2006-2007 5,243 3,846 
			 2005-2006 4,695 3,807 
			  Note: These figures relate to 16-18 year olds (age at start of academic year, i.e. 31 August)

Foreign Languages: General Certificate of Secondary Education

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families with reference to the answer of 16 October 2008,  Official Report, column 1504W, on specialist schools: languages, how many and what percentage of pupils at  (a) specialist language colleges,  (b) schools which have languages as a second specialism and  (c) schools which have languages combined with another specialism, achieved a modern languages GCSE at grades A* to C.

Jim Knight: The information requested is set out in the following table:
	
		
			   Number of schools( 1)  Pupils achieving A*-C in one full MFL GCSE or equivalent, 2008 
			Number  Percentage 
			 Language colleges 217 22,478 52 
			 Schools with languages as a second specialism 71 7,276 51 
			 Language colleges (combined) 15 1,205 46 
			 (1.) Specialism defined at September 2007 (i.e. the beginning of the 2007/08 academic year to which the exam results relate)

GCSE: Disadvantaged

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families with reference to the answer of 6 October 2008,  Official Report, column 489W, on the General Certificate of Secondary Education, 
	(1)  how many and what proportion of  (a) all pupils and  (b) pupils eligible to receive free school meals did not attain any GCSE grades higher than an E in each year since 2002;
	(2)  how many and what proportion of pupils eligible to receive free school meals attained one or more GCSEs at grade A in each year since 2002.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The information available is provided in the following table:
	
		
			   Number and percentage of all pupils and pupils eligible to free school meals, at the end of KS4, who did attain GCSEs at grades A or above  Number and percentage of all pupils and pupils eligible to free school meals, at the end of KS4, who did not attain GCSEs at Grade E or above 
			   Total  FSM  Total  FSM 
			   Number  P ercentage  Number  P ercentage  Number  P ercentage  Number  P ercentage 
			 2008 213,191 35.7 12,151 16.3 37,680 6.3 11,771 15.8 
			 2007 205,514 34.3 11,963 15.6 42,481 7.1 13,437 17.5 
			 2006 199,787 33.6 11,818 15.1 45,046 7.6 14,390 18.4 
			 2005 190,064 32.8 11,285 14.3 46,030 7.9 15,434 19.6 
			 2004 187,242 31.6 11,065 13.5 55,271 9.3 17,686 21.6 
			 2003 176,963 30.6 10,353 12.8 54,993 9.5 18,000 22.2 
			  Source: National Pupil Database 
		
	
	Comparable figures for 2002 are not available.

History: Education

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 10 December 2008,  Official  Report, columns 181-3W, on history: education, which of the schools that did not enter any pupils for A level history entered one or more pupils for an A level in  (a) sociology,  (b) media studies and  (c) communication and culture.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The information required is given in the following table.
	Only maintained mainstream schools that were published in the 2007 School and College Achievement and Attainment Tables have been presented.
	
		
			  Maintained Mainstream Schools that did not enter any pupils into GCE A level History in 2006-07 - entries in sociology, media/film/tv studies and communication studies 
			Entered one or more pupils for A-level in:  
			Sociology  Media/Film /TV Studies  Communication studies  Number of 16-18 year olds 
			 2024104 Haverstock School Yes Yes No 255 
			 2024652 Maria Fidelis Roman Catholic Convent School FCJ Yes Yes No 141 
			 2044686 The Skinners' Company's School for Girls Yes Yes No 152 
			 2084509 Charles Edward Brooke School Yes No No 88 
			 2085403 Archbishop Tenison's School Yes Yes No 36 
			 2106906 The Academy at Peckham No Yes No 133 
			 2114242 Mulberry School for Girls Yes Yes No 356 
			 2124329 Battersea Technology College No No No 62 
			 3036905 The Business Academy Bexley No No No 90 
			 3044006 Wembley High Technology College Yes Yes No 180 
			 3045408 John Kelly Boys' Technology College Yes No No 134 
			 3046905 Capital City Academy No Yes No 140 
			 3076905 West London Academy No No No 112 
			 3084041 Salisbury School No No No 124 
			 3084043 Highlands School No No No 192 
			 3094034 Woodside High School, a Business and Enterprise Specialist School No No No 68 
			 3094037 Park View Academy Yes Yes No 64 
			 3096905 Greig City Academy Yes Yes No 114 
			 3124654 Guru Nanak Sikh Voluntary Aided Secondary School No No No 72 
			 3134021 Hounslow Manor School No No No 100 
			 3145403 Coombe Boys' School No No No 93 
			 3206905 Walthamstow Academy No No No 2 
			 3304084 Washwood Heath Technology College No No No 113 
			 3304207 Handsworth Wood Girls' Visual and Performing Arts Specialist College and Sixth Form Centre No No No 51 
			 3304227 Broadway School Yes No No 143 
			 3304245 Moseley School A Language College Yes No No 141 
			 3305412 George Dixon International School and Sixth Form Centre No No No 185 
			 3314030 Lyng Hall School No No No 65 
			 3335400 Manor Foundation Business and Sports College No No No 74 
			 3354017 Alumwell Business and Enterprise College Yes No No 164 
			 3354100 Darlaston Community Science College Yes No No 114 
			 3364115 Deansfield High School No No No 96 
			 3364131 Parkfield High School Yes No No 108 
			 3364139 Moreton Community School No No No 110 
			 3404609 All Saints Catholic High School No Yes No 152 
			 3414419 Shorefields School No No No 53 
			 3414420 Fazakerley High School Yes Yes No 71 
			 3414423 Croxteth Community Comprehensive School Yes No No 91 
			 3414425 Broadgreen High School a Technology College No No No 164 
			 3414788 St Benedict's College No No No 114 
			 3414796 Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College No No No 168 
			 3416906 North Liverpool Academy Yes Yes No 156 
			 3524257 Whalley Range 11-18 High School and Business and Enterprise College Yes Yes No 297 
			 3714607 Rossington All Saints Church of England (VA) School - A Sports College No No No 145 
			 3804034 Rhodesway School No No No 206 
			 3804066 Greenhead High School Yes Yes No 182 
			 3804100 Carlton Boiling College No No No 312 
			 3804613 Feversham College Yes No No 96 
			 3804616 Immanuel College Yes No No 122 
			 3814036 The Ridings School No No No 27 
			 3824048 Batley Girls' High School Yes No No 182 
			 3834031 City of Leeds School No No No 44 
			 3834044 Primrose High School No No No 52 
			 3834045 John Smeaton Community High School Yes No No 99 
			 3834054 Intake High School Arts College No Yes No 84 
			 3834058 West Leeds High School No No No 99 
			 3834059 Parklands Girls' High School Yes No No 90 
			 3834851 South Leeds High School No No No 73 
			 3904605 Cardinal Hume Catholic School No No No 93 
			 3914500 All Saints College No Yes No 91 
			 8004108 Culverhay School No No No 49 
			 8014032 Brislington Enterprise College Yes Yes No 62 
			 8016905 The City Academy Bristol Yes No No 304 
			 8114063 Howden School and Technology College No No No 12 
			 8124086 The Lindsey School and Community Arts College Yes Yes No 93 
			 8154203 Ripon College Yes No No 55 
			 8254001 Highcrest Community School Yes No No 76 
			 8254036 Princes Risborough No Yes No 124 
			 8254072 Cressex Community School No No No 73 
			 8254074 Burnham Upper School No Yes No 43 
			 8254094 The Wye Valley School No Yes No 134 
			 8254095 Amersham School Yes Yes No 156 
			 8264085 Sir Frank Markham Community School Yes No Yes 95 
			 8315403 Merrill College Yes No No 121 
			 8364111 Rossmore Community College No Yes No 62 
			 8364112 Ashdown Technology College No No No 32 
			 8374189 Oakmead College of Technology Yes No No 135 
			 8564005 New College Leicester No No No 53 
			 8604066 Norton Canes High School No Yes No 37 
			 8604084 Mary hill High School Yes Yes No 73 
			 8674030 The Brakenhale School No No No 39 
			 8714082 Baylis Court School Yes Yes No 72 
			 8715409 The Westgate School Yes No No 67 
			 8724041 Ryeish Green School No Yes No 72 
			 8754161 Ellesmere Port Specialist School of Performing Arts Yes No No 90 
			 8814735 St Peters College No Yes No 81 
			 8825414 The Eastwood School (11-18) Yes No No 81 
			 8864026 Dartford Technology College Yes Yes No 88 
			 8864031 Swanley Technology College No No No 63 
			 8864059 Swadelands School No Yes No 85 
			 8864065 Holmesdale Technology College Yes No No 64 
			 8864114 Archers Court Maths and Computing College Yes Yes No 133 
			 8864204 Wilmington Enterprise College No No No 76 
			 8864207 Castle Community College No No No 52 
			 8864219 Hextable School Yes Yes No 91 
			 8864242 The Abbey School No No No 111 
			 8865409 Wrotham School Yes Yes No 93 
			 8865410 Aylesford School - Sports College Yes No No 89 
			 8865455 The Hayesbrook School No No No 109 
			 8865456 Northfleet Technology College No No No 79 
			 8865466 Brockhill Park Performing Arts College No Yes No 159 
			 8884408 Fleetwood Sports College No No No 2 
			 8914008 Kirkby College Yes Yes No 52 
			 8925402 Greenwood Dale School Yes Yes No 171 
			 8926905 Djanogly City Academy Nottingham Yes No No 226 
			 9094301 Morton School No No No 33 
			 9094630 Newman Catholic School Yes Yes No 77 
			 9095408 North Cumbria Technology College Yes No No 31 
			 9164039 Vale of Berkeley College No No No 7 
			 9164040 Brockworth Enterprise School No No No 87 
			 9194117 The Sele School Yes No No 61 
			 9194154 Onslow St Audrey's School No No No 54 
			 9195427 Hockerill Anglo-European College No No No 162 
			 9254036 The City of Lincoln Community College Yes No No 112 
			 9254609 St Clements College No No No 103 
			 9255414 Joseph Ruston Technology College No No No 11 
			 9255423 The Giles School No No No 136 
			 9264048 Charles Burrell High School Yes No No 77 
			 9264067 Heartsease High School Yes Yes No 43 
			 9264068 Earlham High School No Yes No 86 
			 9265403 Costessey High School No Yes No 130 
			 9284103 Unity College Yes No Yes 78 
			 9314074 Peers School No No No 47 
			 9314145 St Gregory the Great VA Catholic Secondary School Yes Yes No 131 
			 9365405 Epsom and Ewell High School Yes No No 123 
			  Note: Age at start of academic year, i.e. 31 August 2006.

National Curriculum Tests

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how many pupils who achieved a level 5 in English in their Key Stage 2 examinations in 2004-05 also achieved a level 7 or higher in English in their Key Stage 3 examinations in 2007-08;
	(2)  how many pupils who achieved a level 5 or higher in mathematics in their Key Stage 2 examinations in 2004-05 achieved a level 7 or higher in mathematics in their Key Stage 3 examinations in 2007-08;
	(3)  how many pupils who achieved a level 5 in science in their Key Stage 2 examinations in 2004-05 also achieved a level 7 or higher in science in their Key Stage 3 examinations in 2007-08.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: 2007/08 data is not available. Data for 2006/07 can be found in table 8 of the Statistical First Release: National Curriculum Assessments at Key Stage 3 in England, 2006/07 (Revised), which can be found at:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000776/index.shtml

Pre-School Education: Finance

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families with reference to the answer of 16 October 2008,  Official Report, column 1498W, on pre-school education finance, when the Child Care Strategy will be published.

Beverley Hughes: The child care strategy document was published on 28 January 2009.

Schools: Hampshire

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families when he expects  (a) St Johns Primary School in Waltham Chase,  (b) Bishops Waltham Primary School and  (c) Curdridge Primary School to receive their Raise Online reports.

Beverley Hughes: This is a matter for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert, has written to the hon. Member and a copy of her reply has been placed in the Libraries.
	 Letter from Christine Gilbert:
	Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, for a response.
	Full RAISEonline reports, containing contextual information and analysis based on 2008 Key Stage 1 data were made available to St Johns Primary School, Bishops Waltham Primary School and Curdridge Primary School on 24 November 2008. An updated report containing unvalidated Key Stage 2 data will be available in April 2009. The RAISEonline website will provide further details regarding the date of availability in March 2009.
	A copy of this reply has been sent to right hon. Jim Knight MP, Minister of State for Schools and Learners and will be placed in the library of both Houses.

Schools: Procurement

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether his Department has established the support team for the online procurement tool for schools to date.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: OPEN e-procurement system is managed by a team that has been established in DCSF. The team are responsible for managing the service on behalf of schools, provided by the OGC's contract with ProcServe who deliver a framework for provision of this e-procurement system. As part of the Department's support for schools it has established local educational procurement centres (EPCs) to provide on-the-ground support to schools on a regional basis, facilitating access to and support with the OPEN along with information and guidance to assist schools in understanding their procurement needs and maximise their budget.

Special Educational Needs

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pupils with statements of special educational needs attended  (a) maintained and  (b) non-maintained special schools in each year since 1997.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The number of pupils with statements of special educational needs at maintained and non-maintained special schools since 1997 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Pupils with stateme nts of special educational need:  England 
			   Maintained special schools  Non maintained special schools 
			 1997 87,330 5,030 
			 1998 87,930 4,710 
			 1999 87,330 4,390 
			 2000 86,880 4,610 
			 2001 87,400 4,500 
			 2002 85,800 4,490 
			 2003 85,800 4,840 
			 2004 84,250 4,700 
			 2005 83,290 4,740 
			 2006 82,570 4,660 
			 2007 82,490 4,610 
			 2008 82,410 4,540 
			  Note: Figures rounded to the nearest 10.  Source: School Census

Special Educational Needs

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pupils with non-statemented special educational needs attended  (a) maintained and  (b) non-maintained special schools in each year since 1997.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Information on non-statemented pupils with special educational needs was only collected from maintained special schools since 2002 and from non maintained special schools since 2003. The available information is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Non-statemented pupils with special educational needs :  England 
			   Maintained special schools  Non maintained special schools 
			 2002 2,410 (1) 
			 2003 1,890 40 
			 2004 1,800 30 
			 2005 1,750 40 
			 2006 1,690 60 
			 2007 1,690 30 
			 2008 1,890 40 
			 (1)  not available.  Note: Figures rounded to the nearest 10  Source:  School Census

Special Educational Needs

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the Answer of 9 February 2009,  Official Report, columns 1730-31W, on special educational needs, what steps he is taking to ensure that school censuses do not undercount the number of looked-after children in schools.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Department recognises that when the School Census began to identify looked after children, it undercounted them, and it is possible that an element of undercounting remains. We are therefore exploring ways of obtaining this information via other means without placing additional burdens on local authorities.

Special Educational Needs

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2009,  Official Report, columns 1730-1W, on special educational needs, how many  (a) male and  (b) female pupils there were in each category in each year.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The requested information is provided in the table.
	
		
			  Maintained primary and secondary schools and all special schools( 1) : number of pupils( 2) , position in January each year 2004 to 2008, England 
			   Number of pupils who were eligible for free school meals and have statemented special educational needs  Number of pupils who were eligible for free school meals and have non-statemented special educational needs  Number of pupils who were eligible for free school meals and were children in care  Number of pupils who had statemented special educational needs and were children in care  Number of pupils who had non-statemented special educational needs and were children in care  Number of pupils who were eligible for free school meals, had statemented special educational needs and were children in care  Number of pupils who were eligible for free school meals, had non-statemented special educational needs and were children in care 
			   Male  Female  Male  Female  Male  Female  Male  Female  Male  Female  Male  Female  Male  Female 
			 2004 49,770 21,150 195,660 126,770 2,980 2,550 5,110 2,390 6,060 4,620 840 370 1,360 1,080 
			 2005 46,750 19,540 195,140 126,780 3,070 2,690 5,230 2,290 6,370 4,970 830 340 1,430 1,160 
			 2006 44,190 18,000 194,940 127,760 3,020 2,710 5,520 2,370 6,810 5,460 810 310 1,380 1,140 
			 2007 42,340 17,070 196,170 130,140 2,970 2,630 6,040 2,550 7,410 6,220 810 310 1,330 1,180 
			 2008 40,700 15,970 197,250 133,650 2,900 2,500 6,060 2,520 7,680 6,440 780 310 1,330 1,180 
			 (1) Includes primary and secondary schools, city technology colleges and academies and all special schools (excludes general hospital schools). (2 )Includes dually registered pupils and boarding pupils.  Note: Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10.  Source:  School Census

Special Educational Needs: Private Sector

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2009,  Official Report, columns 2116-17W, on special educational needs: private sector, what the names are of the schools that opened between September 2005 and August 2008.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The 228 independent schools catering wholly or mainly for pupils with special educational needs which opened between 1 September 2005 and 31 August 2008 are listed.
	The Education Act 2002 amended the definition of an independent school to include institutions providing full time education for one or more pupils with a statement of Special Educational Needs or a looked after child. This resulted in a number of Children's Homes which provide education on the premises registering as independent schools.
	Acorn Cottage
	Gable End
	Midsummer House School
	Arvon House(1)
	The Birches
	The Old Gables(1)
	Lime Meadows
	Sherant Education
	The Ashbrook Centre
	Chilworth House School
	Hillcrest Kings Bromley
	The Stubbs
	Pennsylvania House
	Flying High
	The Shires At Stretton
	Park View School
	Peppercorn(1)
	Norden Way
	Pleasant Street
	Bankfield
	Hillcrest Norwood(1)
	Hillgate Farm
	Greenfields
	Glendale House
	David Banks School(1)
	Rosedale Co Central Office
	The Firs(1)
	The Old Farmhouse
	Castle Lodge School
	Learning To Listen
	Brook House Farm
	Middlehey
	Stubbs House Education Unit
	Condover Horizon School(1)
	The Linnet Independent Learning Centre
	Alexandra House(1)
	Moorgate
	Dane House
	Elmsfield
	Primrose Cottage
	WestonGreen Corns
	Park HillGreen Corns
	PilsworthGreen Corns
	ThamesGreen Corns
	BernardGreen Corns(1)
	FoxGreen Corns(1)
	Queens ParkGreen Corns
	Rooley MoorGreen Corns
	CronkeyshawGreen Corns
	ArgyleGreen Corns(1)
	GloucesterGreen Corns
	Further HeightsGreen Corns
	Middleton Lodge
	The Amicus School
	Moorlands School
	Lillesdon School
	Continuum School Somerset
	Staddons School
	Hollyoaks(1)
	Tadley Horizon
	Blue Mountain Education
	The Serendipity Centre
	Althea Park Education Unit
	Fair Holme
	Trax Academy
	Hobbit House
	Oliver House School
	Darwen School
	Nookin Cottage(1)
	The Croft
	Three Castles College
	The Close(1)
	March House
	High Trees
	Park View
	On Track Training Centre
	Elland House School
	Toadstool Cottage(1)
	Victoria House
	The Willows
	Wilford Court
	Farm Cottage
	The Symbol Academy
	Howard House
	Trinity Lodge
	Arundel House
	Roughbank Farm
	On Track Training Centre
	Whitty Tree House
	Newbridge House
	Villa Real Farmhouse
	Hillcrest London School
	Ivy Cottage Residential School(1)
	Barton School
	The Cedars
	Ark House
	Hopewell School
	Cornerstone School
	Oracle
	The Westside Independent School
	Roselyn House School
	Hurst Farm
	HillcrestHayling Island
	Trade Based Training
	My Choice School-Shopham Bridge Farmhouse(1)
	My Choice School-Ocean Pearl
	My Choice School-Kestral House
	Pear Tree School
	Farleigh College
	Essex Fresh Start
	Windsor House
	Wilds Lodge School
	Gloucester House the Tavistock Children's Day Unit
	Jigsaw School
	Eastgate House
	Springboard Education Junior
	Sycamore House
	Haven House At Meadowcroft
	Arnfield Independent School
	Corporation Farmhouse(1)
	Laurel Leaf School
	The Annex School House
	Meadowcroft School
	Trinity College
	Sketchley Horizon
	The Meadows
	The Daltons(1)
	Demeter House
	Broadlands Hall
	Valley House
	Willows
	Birmingham Rathbone Society
	Broadclough Lodge
	Waypoint House(1)
	The Evaglades
	Boyd House(1)
	Fletcher Street Greencorns
	Hunt Close Greencorns(1)
	Kingsway Greencorns
	Booth Greencorns Independent School
	Shellfield Green Corns
	Summit Greencorns
	South Parade Green Corns(1)
	Saxon Road Green Corns(1)
	Greenway Green Corns
	110 Peel House Lane Green Corns
	Liverpool Green Corns
	Halton View Green Corns
	Southover Partnership School
	Trent Lodge(1)
	Highfields
	Dove Adolescent Services
	Dove Adolescent Services
	Shelldene House School
	York House
	Ty Newydd
	Hope House School
	Rowan House
	Whitebeam SchoolGreen Corns(1)
	Regent SchoolGreen Corns
	The Education Centre
	Education and Youth Services (Herts)( )(1)
	T Plus Centre (Taliesin Education)
	Papillon House
	Kirby Moor School
	Unsted Park School
	Hartlepool School Education and Vocational Training Centre
	47 Lowerhouse LaneGreen Corns
	62 PeelhouseGreen Corns
	Merecroft School
	The Cornerstone
	Hope View School
	Newfields School
	Willoughby School
	Lunts HeathGreencoms
	New Options (Higford) School
	Granville Greencorns(1)
	Waidshouse Greencorns Independent School(1)
	The Barn Greencorns
	Pumping Station School
	The Island Project School
	The Elms
	The Farringdon Centre
	The Gables
	Provident House School
	Alder Meadow Green Corns Independent School
	Insights Education Centre
	Shalom Place
	Swan Lodge
	Ferndearle
	Halton House School
	Oasis School
	Horizon School
	Bloomfield College
	The Evolution Centre
	Gryphon School
	The Boulters Learning and Skills Centre
	Cumberland School
	Keyes Barn
	Seameadows
	Lovells Hall
	Education and Youth Services Ltd, Carlisle
	Warrington School
	Worldshapers Academy
	Thornton Heath College
	Jemini Response
	Banks Croft School
	Blue Skies School
	Kisimul School
	Hazel House
	Claybrook Cottage School
	Yail (Gainsborough)
	Pathfinders School
	Pathfinders School
	Education and Youth Services Ltd (4)
	Snowflake School
	Spring Vale School
	Stone House School
	Hill Farm College
	Aim Habonim
	Encompass Education
	Fitzwalter Greencorns
	Seaview Learning Centre
	Great Howarth College
	St. Anne's Independent PRU
	The Tutorial Foundation
	St. Nicholas Lodge (Broadstairs)
	Aethelstan College
	(1) These schools are no longer open.

Specialised Diplomas: Suffolk

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pupils attending schools in Suffolk have been entered for diploma qualifications to date.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The number of pupils starting the Diploma this September 2008 in the Suffolk local authority is shown in the following table. There is only one consortium in Suffolk (North Suffolk Partnership) which is only offering the Engineering Diploma.
	Sir John Leman High School, Leiston Community High School and Bungay High School, are the three schools teaching the Engineering Diploma.
	
		
			  LA  Line  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3 
			 Suffolk Eng 16 15 9

Teachers: Pay

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  if he will place in the Library a copy of the cost projections for the introduction of bonuses for teachers in deprived areas;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of his Department's expenditure on bonuses for teachers in deprived schools in each of the next five years;
	(3)  in what year the first bonus for teachers in deprived areas will be paid;
	(4)  from which funding stream golden handcuffs for teachers in deprived areas will be drawn;

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The cost of the 'golden handcuff' element of the incentive package announced in the New Opportunities White Paper on 13 January will depend entirely on the decisions made by individual schools. Some may choose not to take part in the initiative and those that do will be able to select which new teachers they want to offer the incentives to.
	Head teachers will be able to offer the 'golden handcuff' to teachers taking up new posts in around 540 eligible schools from September 2009.
	We are currently considering the precise structure of the incentive payment, so detailed costing are not yet available. However, the overall cost of a scheme as set out in the White Paper, 'New Opportunities', will be affordable within the overall schools budget in 2010/11. Future years falls outside the current spending review period, so it is not possible to identify allocations beyond 2010/11.

Young People: Antisocial Behaviour

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families with reference to the answer of 11 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 1081-2W, on young people: antisocial behaviour, who will conduct the independent national evaluation; what procedure will be used to appoint the evaluator; and when the evaluation will be complete.

Beverley Hughes: The evaluation will be carried out by an independent contractor, chosen through a competitive tender. The Department plans to issue tenders in spring 2009, and the evaluation will complete after the projects finish in April 2011. Interim results will be available before then.

Young People: Suffolk

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many 16 to 18 year-olds there were resident in Suffolk in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and what proportion of these were  (a) in full-time work and  (b) not in education, employment or training in each such year.

Beverley Hughes: The Department publishes annual estimates of the number of 16 to 18-year-olds not in education, employment or training (NEET) in England. These estimates cannot be disaggregated to local authority level.
	However, we can use information collected by the Connexions Service to estimate the number and proportion of young people NEET at local authority level. The following table gives estimates of the number of 16 to 18-year-olds resident in Suffolk and the proportion who were in full-time employment and not in education, employment or training at the end of 2005, 2006 and 2007.
	
		
			   Number of young people aged 16-18  Proportion of young people aged 16-18 in full time employment  (percentage)  Proportion of young people aged 16-18 NEET  (percentage) 
			 2005 21,112 17.5 8.6 
			 2006 21,206 18.7 8.4 
			 2007 20,928 19.6 7.2

Youth Facilities: Coventry

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what recent steps the Government have taken to improve youth facilities in Coventry.

Beverley Hughes: The Government have allocated a total of 185,300 per annum over the period 2008-11 to the Youth Capital Fund (YCF) in Coventry local authority. YCF empowers young people by giving them control over funding decisions for new facilities in their area.
	Coventry is also receiving an additional 452,000 in 2008-09 via the Youth Capital Fund Plus which will deliver a significant new facility in a neighbourhood with a high level of deprivation, crime and antisocial behaviour.
	In December 2008 Coventry and Warwickshire YMCA received 1.5 million from the Youth Sector Development Fund to develop a programme aimed at engaging young people involved in gangs, antisocial behaviour and crime in positive activities.
	In addition, since April 2008, all local areas have had the opportunity to bid for funding for world class youth facilities through the Government's 202 million myplace programme.

Youth Inclusion Programme

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 16 December 2008,  Official Report, column 717W, on crime prevention: young people, on which 110 estates the Youth Inclusion programme operates; and on what criteria those estates were selected.

Beverley Hughes: The specific names of the estates in which Youth Inclusion programmes (YIPs) run are not formally collected centrally by the Youth Justice Board. However, the information about each area that is available, which in many cases does include the names of relevant estate, is included in annex A.
	The criteria upon which estates are selected are high scores for both deprivation and crime.
	The number listed is over 110. This is due to local flexibilities which allow for youth offending teams to set up additional YIPs from their prevention budgets where they deem appropriate.
	 ANNEX A
	 Youth Inclusion  p rogrammes  February 2009
	Barking and Dagenham (Abbey)
	Barking and Dagenham (Gascoigne)
	Barking and Dagenham (Goresbrook)
	Barrow in Furness (Hindpool)
	Bedford (Cauldwell)
	Bedfordshire (Dunstable)
	Birmingham (Shard End)
	Birmingham (Sparkbrook)
	Birmingham (Washwood Heath)
	Birmingham (Kingstanding)
	Birmingham (Lozells)
	Blackburn (Mill Hill)
	Blackburn (Whitebirk)
	Bolton (Farnworth) New Bury Estate
	Bournemouth and Poole (Boscombe East and West)
	Bradford (Newlands)
	BracknellJunior YIP
	Brent (Church End and St. Raphaels)
	Brighton and Hove (EastMoulsecoomb, Whitehawk)
	Bristol (Barton Hill)
	Bristol (Henbury)
	Burnley (Trinity)
	Calderdale (North Halifax)
	Camden (Juniper Crescent, Clarence Way, Denton))
	Cardiff (Ely and Llanrumney)
	Ceredigion (Aberystwwyth West and Penparcau wards)
	Coventry (Wood End) Bell Green
	Conwy and DenbigshireRhyl
	Derby (Osmaston)
	Derby (Osmaston)
	Derby (Mackworth)
	Derby (Alvaston)
	Derby (Derwent)
	Derby (Derwent)
	Devon (Gorwell and Frabk Marsh)
	Devon (Forches and Whiden Valley)
	Devon (Teignmouth)
	Devon (Exwick)
	Doncaster (North Area)
	Durham
	Easington (Whole Area)
	East Riding (Goole)
	Gateshead (Felling)
	Greenwich (Eltham) Page
	Hackney (North Hackney) Woodberry Down, Stamford Hill, Guiness Trust
	Hackney (South YIP) Fellows Court, Holly St., Frampton Court, Blackstone
	Hammersmith and Fulham (White City)
	Haringey (Somerford Grove, Suffolk, Edgecott, Tiverton, Noel Park, Campsbourne)
	Harrogate
	Hartlepool
	Houghton Regis and Dunstable (Parkside)
	Hull (Preston Road)
	Islington (Finsbury and Tollington wards)
	Kensington and Chelsea (Delgarno)
	Kirklees (Dewsbury Moor)
	KnowsleyNorth huyton (Page Moss Estate)
	Lambeth (Moorlands, Loughborough, Angel Town)
	Lancashire (Preston) SEE PRESTON
	Leeds South (Middleton)
	Leeds West (Bramley)
	Leicester City (three Junior YIPs)
	Liverpool (Kensington)
	Liverpool (Anfield/Everton) Walton Estate
	Luton (Farley and Dallow)
	Manchester (East)
	Manchester (NorthCrime Concern)
	Manchester (North)
	Manchester (Wythenshawe)
	Merthyr Tydfil (North) Gurnos Estate
	Middlesbrough (East)
	Neath Port Talbot (Sandfield)
	Newcastle upon Tyne (Elswick, Wingrove)
	Newham (Forest Gate, Canning Town)
	North Lincolnshire (Riddings)
	North Lincolnshire (westcliffe)
	Northumberland
	Nottingham (Meadows)
	Nottingham (Radford)
	Nottingham
	Nottingham
	Oldham (Greenacres)
	Peterborough (Gladstone/Central Ward/Millfield)
	Plymouth (St. Budeau and Barne Barton)
	Portsmouth (Portsea)
	Preston Brookfield
	Preston Ribbleton
	Redcar and Cleveland
	RochdaleKirkholt Estate, Middleton Spring Vale Estate, Heywood
	Rotherham (Herringthorpe)
	Salford (Weaste)
	Sandwell
	Scarborough
	Scunthorpe (North Lines)
	Sedgefield
	SeftonBootle (Hornby Drive Estate)
	Sheffield (Shire Green)
	Skipton
	Slough
	Somerset (Shepton Mallet and Coleford)
	South Tyneside (Whitelees, Biddick Hall)
	Southampton (S014)
	South Gloucestershire (Bradley Stoke)
	Southwark (Rockingham, Heygate, Peckham, Bermondsey, Aylesbury and Walworth)
	St HelensParr Estate
	Staffordshire
	Stockton-on-TeesRagworth, Wrensfield, Newtown
	Stoke-on-Trent (Stanfields and Meir)
	Sunderland (North Washington)
	Swansea (Penderry, Mynnydd Bach) Clase Estates
	Swindon
	Tameside Ashton-Under-Lyne
	Torbay (Paignton) not ward based
	Torbay (Brixham) not ward based
	Torbay (Torquay) Pendennis, Ellercombe and Watcombe
	Tower HamletsSt. Dunstans, Stepney Green, Whitechapel, Weavers, Bethnal Green
	Tower HamletsMile End, Globe Town, Spitalfields, Banglatown
	Tower HamletsSt. Katharines, Wapping, Shadwell, Bow and Bromley-by-Bow
	Wakefield
	Walsall (WS3.WS10) Blakenall
	Waltham Forest
	Wandsworth (Roehampton) Tooting, Battersea, Roehampton
	Wear Valley
	Wiltshire (Adcroft and Drynham)
	WirralWoodchurch, Lesowe, Wallasey, North Birkenhead, Central Birkenhead, Rockferry
	Wolverhampton (Low Hill/Bushbury)
	WrexhamCaia Park
	Wycombe, Bucks

Aviation: Fares

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Eddisbury of 11 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 955-56W, on aviation: fares, if he will provide details of the data referred to in note 3 to the Table.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The domestic component of the average air fare referred to in note 3 of the table has been based on a sample of fares data compiled from air passenger interviews conducted by the CAA on 12 domestic routes, excluding passengers transferring to international flights.
	
		
			  Average domestic air fare, 1997 prices 
			
			 1997 143 
			 1998 145 
			 1999 143 
			 2000 141 
			 2001 135 
			 2002 117 
			 2003 112 
			 2004 105 
			 2005 104 
			 2006 102 
		
	
	The sample of routes that this table is based on is as follows:
	GatwickGlasgow
	GatwickNewcastle
	HeathrowAberdeen
	HeathrowBelfast International
	HeathrowEdinburgh
	HeathrowManchester
	LutonGlasgow
	LutonAberdeen
	ManchesterBelfast International
	ManchesterEdinburgh
	ManchesterSouthampton
	StanstedPrestwick
	The domestic fare index is only based on routes from airports that are continuously surveyed by the CAA, as many domestic routes are between regional airports that are only intermittently surveyed. Fares at Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester airports were surveyed continuously over the whole period, but Luton and Stansted were surveyed continuously by the CAA only from 2000 onwards.
	In addition, the index has only been compiled from domestic routes that have been operational throughout the time period under analysis.

Bus Services: Standards

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many bus drivers were examined under the driver quality monitoring scheme in each year since 2005; and how many were found to be  (a) unacceptable with serious faults and  (b) unacceptable with dangerous faults in each such year.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 11 February 2009
	The Driving Standards Agency provides Driver Quality Monitoring (DQM) assessments to bus companies on a commercial basis. The Agency has no powers to revoke a bus driver's licence based on the outcome of a DQM assessment.
	The following table shows the number of DQM assessments conducted by the DSA.
	
		
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Total DQM assessments 9,059 9,089 8,177 
			 Unacceptable serious faults 3,311 2,783 2,086 
			 Unacceptable dangerous faults 136 113 77 
		
	
	A serious fault is defined as a significant deviation from the defined outcome with safety, control and/or legal requirements breached, such as moving off from a bus stop causing a car driver from the rear to brake.
	A dangerous fault is defined as safety, control and/or legal requirement breached that would have caused actual danger, such as moving off from a bus stop into the path of a car from the rear causing the other driver to swerve to avoid a collision.
	The data from the assessment is collated and reported back to the client on the next day, for potential remedial action. For those assessments recording dangerous faults the bus company is notified on the day of the assessment. In all cases the client is responsible for any further action. Some operators use these reports for disciplinary and reward purposes.
	Bus companies use DQM assessments as part of their internal quality supervision arrangements. The Agency's records indicate that the proportion of assessments giving rise to serious and dangerous markings decreases year on year during the life of a DQM contract.

Bus Services: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how much his Department has spent on supporting bus services in York in each year since the creation of the York unitary authority;
	(2)  how much his Department has spent on road improvements in City of York constituency in each year since the creation of the York unitary authority.

Paul Clark: Funding provided by the Department for Transport to local authorities is not generally ring-fenced and local authorities have discretion to spend their allocations in line with their priorities. Figures are not therefore available at constituency level.
	The Department allocates integrated transport block funding to local transport authorities for general capital investment in transport. Figures are available from 1997-98 and are shown in  millions in Table 1:
	
		
			  Table 1: Capital support for transport schemes in City of York council 
			   million 
			   Integrated transport block  Total pre-LTP funding 
			 2008-09 3.737  
			 2007-08 4.141  
			 2006-07 4.478  
			 2005-06 4.900  
			 2004-05 4.840  
			 2003-04 4.700  
			 2002-03 4.400  
			 2001-02 4.900  
			 2000-01 1.550  
			 1999-2000  1.983 
			 1998-99  1.127 
			 1997-98  2.212 
		
	
	Revenue expenditure on transport is generally supported through the Department for Communities and Local Government's Formula Grant.
	 Rural Bus Subsidy
	The City of York Council also receives grant funding to help support marginal bus services through the rural bus subsidy grant (RBSG) and rural bus challenge (RBC), as shown in Table 2:
	
		
			  Table 2: Bus subsidy for City of York since 1998-99 
			   
			   RBSG  RBC 
			 2008-09(1) 137,852  
			 2007-08 134,466  
			 2006-07 131,322  
			 2005-06 128,178 (2)185,700 
			 2004-05 123,342  
			 2003-04 109,261  
			 2002-03 107,008  
			 2001-02 93,491  
			 2000-01 73,216 235,858 
			 1999-2000 73,216  
			 1998-99 73,216 180,000 
			 (1) Since April 2008, RBSG has been included in Area Based Grant allocations to local authorities. (2) Part of the 2005 Kickstart bus funding competition. 
		
	
	 Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG)
	Local bus service and community transport operators receive bus service operators grant (BSOG) from this Department, amounting to over 400 million in 2008-09. Records are not kept of BSOG expenditure by local authority area.
	 Concessionary fares
	Before 1 April 2008, funding for the statutory minimum bus concession was provided exclusively through the Formula Grant system, which is administered by the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG). The Department for Transport therefore provided no funding to City of York Council for concessionary bus travel prior to this date.
	The Department did however provide City of York Council with 130,972 in 2007-08 for the cost of producing and issuing the new England-wide bus passes to all their eligible people. In 2008-09 DFT will provide City of York Council with special grant funding of 1.1 million for the improvement to statutory concessionary travel; this is in addition to the existing formula grant funding from CLG.
	The Department also provides block funding for road improvements and maintenance, as set out in Table 3:
	
		
			  Table 3: Funding for road improvements and maintenance in City of York Council 
			   Highways Maintenance  Other funding( 1)  Total 
			 2008-09 1.379 1.217 2.596 
			 2007-08 1.419 L 1.379 2.798 
			 2006-07 1.386 0.887 2.273 
			 2005-06 1.325 0.364 1.689 
			 2004-05 1.462 0.633 2.095 
			 2003-04 1.281 0.314 1.595 
			 2002-03 1.155  1.155 
			 2001-02 1.095  1.095 
			 2000-01 0.712  0.712 
			 1999-2000
			 1998-99
			 1997-98   0.977 
			 1996-97   2.262 
			 (1) Other funding covers capital and revenue funding for detrunking, and road safety capital funding. 
		
	
	In 1996-97 and 1997-98 the Department provided 3.239 million for the Peasholme Green Bridge scheme.

Departmental Flowers

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department spent on cut flowers in each of the last three years.

Geoff Hoon: The requested information is provided in the following table.
	
		
			   
			  DfT Organisational Unit  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			  DfT (c):
			 London HQ 0.00 0.00 0.00 
			 Air Accidents Investigation Branch(1) 0.00 180.00 0.00 
			 Marine Accident Investigation Branch 0.00 0.00 0.00 
			 Rail Accident Investigation Branch 0.00 0.00 0.00 
			 
			 Driving Standards Agency 1,210.00 1,225.00 1,175.00 
			 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency(2) 100.00 150.00 0.00 
			 
			 Government Car and Despatch Agency(3)
			 
			 Highways Agency(3)
			 
			 Maritime and Coastguard Agency 40.00 27.49 29.50 
			 
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency(3)
			 Vehicle Certification Agency(4)  245.00 850.00 
			  1,350.00 1,827.49 2,054.50 
			 (1) Relates to the Royal opening of a new wing of the Air Accident Investigation Branch (Farnborough) (2) The 100.00 spend in 2005-06 relates to the purchase of two flower arrangements for the Memorial Service of R Ley (DVLA Director) in June 2005 and the hire of two flower stands. The 150.00 spend in 2006-07 relates to the purchase of cut flowers for the victims of the letter bomb explosion at the Agency's mail room in February 2007. (3) Requested information can only be provided at disproportionate cost. (4) Relates to spend incurred during 2006-07 to 2008-09 (to date). Flowers are sent to staff following a serious, personal and often unexpected event. This would include a serious illness, major accident or bereavement. 
		
	
	This excludes spend by the Government Car and Despatch Agency, Highways Agency, and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency as the requested information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Pay

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of those outside the Senior Civil Service in his Department received a bonus in  (a) 2006,  (b) 2007 and  (c) 2008.

Geoff Hoon: holding answer 29 January 2009
	 The Department for Transport comprises a central Department plus seven Executive agencies each with its own pay and reward system. Information regarding non-consolidated performance pay has been collected from the central Department and all seven agencies and collated to one set of figures.
	The percentage of staff outside the senior civil service structure in the Department for Transport who received non-consolidated performance pay in  (a) 2006,  (b) 2007 and  (c) 2008 is set out in the following table:
	
		
			   Percentage of staff outside of SCS receiving non-consolidated performance pay  Non-consolidated performance pay as a percentage of pay bill 
			 2005-06 71 1.47 
			 2006-07 77 1.67 
			 2007-08 72 1.56 
		
	
	The aforementioned figures exclude VOSA performance pay data for 2007-08 because this has not yet been paid.

Departmental Recruitment

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many new recruits his Department took on in  (a) 2005-06,  (b) 2006-07,  (c) 2007-08 and  (d) 2008-09, how many of these were taken on as (i) permanent, (ii) temporary and (iii) agency staff; and what estimate he has made of the equivalent figures for (A) 2009-10 and (B) 2010-11.

Geoff Hoon: The number of new recruits taken on by the Department in  (a) 2005-06,  (b) 2006-07,  (c) 2007-08 and  (d) 2008-09 and how many of these were taken on as (i) permanent, (ii) temporary and (iii) agency staff is set out in the following table.
	
		
			   Number of permanent staff taken on  Number of temporary staff taken on  Number of agency staff taken on 
			 2005-06 2,234 480 645 
			 2006-07 1,931 555 944 
			 2007-08 1,415 827 949 
		
	
	The data in the table are for the Department for Transport (Centre) and its agencies. The figures for 2008-09 are not available. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has a category of staff termed casual staff which have been recorded under temporary staff in the aforementioned table; the Vehicle Operator Services Agency does not record agency staff numbers centrally; and temporary/fixed term staff are recorded within the permanent category for the Department for Transport (Centre) for 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08.
	Estimates for the equivalent figures for (A) 2009-10 and (B) 2010-11 are not available.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Databases

Eleanor Laing: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his most recent estimate is of the number of inaccurate records on the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's vehicle system software.

Jim Fitzpatrick: An accurate record is defined as one where the registered keeper of the vehicle or the driving licence holder can be traced from the details contained on the database.
	The latest estimate of the accuracy of the vehicles record showed it was 96.9 per cent. accurate. This equates to 1,052,662 records that are inaccurate.
	The latest estimate of the accuracy of the drivers record showed it was 81.5 per cent. accurate. This equates to 7,906,275 records that are inaccurate.
	The responsibility for notifying the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) of a change of address lies with the vehicle keeper or licence holder. So far as vehicle records are concerned there is an annual requirement to tax the vehicle and this transaction is a regular prompt to owners to fulfil the requirement to notify change of address. There is no equivalent annual driver transaction that prompts a notification.
	DVLA is not complacent about accuracy. The task is to encourage and support drivers and vehicle keepers to meet their obligations and to that end a dedicated accuracy improvement team has been established to improve matters. Current initiatives in hand include checks of credit reference agency databases for current addresses and working with others in the cross government Tell Us Once initiative to obtain early notification of the death of a licence holder.

Driving Instruction: Greater London

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many Driving Standards Agency driving examiners conducting passenger service vehicle tests there were in the Greater London area in the last 12 months.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Twenty one.

High Speed Trains: Lancashire

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what recent discussions he has had with High Speed Two Ltd. on proposals to develop a high speed railway line between  (a) London and Lancashire and  (b) London and the centre of Birmingham;
	(2)  whether an assessment of proposals for a high speed railway line between London and Lancaster will be contained in the document to be produced by High Speed Two Ltd. by the end of 2009;
	(3)  whether he has commissioned research on the provision of a new high speed rail link to Scotland.

Paul Clark: A new company, High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd., has been formed to develop the case for high speed services between London and Scotland.
	As a first stage, the company is expected to bring forward proposals for Britain's second new high speed line, between London and the West Midlands, by the end of the year, and to consider the potential for new lines to serve the north of England and Scotland. This will need to include an appraisal of the environmental, planning, technological, capacity, value for money and funding issues.

High Speed Trains: North East Region

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department has taken to fund the development of high-speed rail links to and from the North East in the next five years.

Paul Clark: A new company, High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd., has been formed to develop the case for high speed services between London and Scotland.
	As a first stage, the company is expected to bring forward proposals for Britain's second new high speed line, between London and the West Midlands, by the end of the year, and to consider the potential for new lines to serve the north of England and Scotland. This will need to include an appraisal of the environmental, planning, technological, capacity, value for money and funding issues.

Motor Vehicles: Licensing

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many unlicensed  (a) cars,  (b) vans,  (c) lorries and  (d) motorcycles were (i) clamped and (ii) crushed in each of the last three years for which information is available, broken down by make; what legislation authorises the (A) clamping and (B) crushing of unlicensed vehicles; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: A breakdown of the total number of vehicles clamped and crushed under Department for Transport legislation for the last three years is given in the following table. The figure for each year includes cars, vans, lorries and motorcycles. The statistical data held by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency are not held in such a way to allow figures to be broken down by make.
	
		
			  Calendar year  Vehicles clamped  Vehicles crushed 
			 2006 89,941 38,309 
			 2007 128,681 45,802 
			 2008 157,977 59,409 
		
	
	The legislation that enables both the clamping and crushing of unlicensed vehicles is The Vehicle Excise Duty (Immobilisation, Removal and Disposal of Vehicles) Regulations 1997, as amended.

Motorways: West Midlands

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent steps the Government has taken to improve the motorway infrastructure in the West Midlands.

Paul Clark: Over the last three years 19 major maintenance schemes, each costing between 1 million and 5 million, have been completed; and one major project costing more than 5 million is under construction. These include resurfacing of carriageways and substantial repairs to the structures of the elevated sections of motorway within Birmingham and the Black Country.
	The following improvement schemes have also been introduced to tackle particular areas of congestion, improve safety and increase capacity:
	Active traffic management on the M42 east of Birmingham, which is now being extended northwards and introduced on the M40 and M6, with hard shoulder running on the M6 between junction 4 and 5, and junction 8 and 10a;
	Four lengths of MIDAS (motorway incident detection and automated signalling) on the M6 and M42;
	Increased capacity at the junction of the M42 and M6 toll road by adding an additional lane; and
	Traffic light signalisation of several junctions on the M5 and M6 to smooth flow during peak periods.
	In the Secretary of State's announcement 'Britain's Transport Infrastructure Motorway and Major Trunk Roads' on 15 January 2009, the following schemes that benefit the west midlands were identified as being expected to enter construction by 2015:
	Hard shoulder running on the M6 from junction 5 to 8 around Birmingham
	Hard shoulder running on the M6 from junction 10a to 13 north of Birmingham
	Improvement of M1 junction 19, the key intersection of the M6, M1 andA14.
	In addition, as part of our longer term plans to roll out hard shoulder running across the core motorway network over the next 10 to 15 years, this innovative technique is planned to be implemented on the following parts of the motorway network relevant to the west midlands:
	M6 from junction 2 to 4, between Coventry and Birmingham
	M6 from junction 13 to 19 in Staffordshire
	M5 from junction 4a to 6, south of Birmingham
	M1 junction 13 to 19, south of rugby.

Newhaven Marine Railway Station

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 3 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1135W, on Newhaven Marine railway station, on what date the passenger train service was last delivered by rail.

Paul Clark: Further to my answer of 3 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1135W Newhaven Marine station has not been safe for passengers since August 2006.

Official Cars: Snow and Ice

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how many sets of snow chains the Government Car and Dispatch Agency held for use on the Government car fleet on 2 February 2009;
	(2)  how many ministerial cars were in use on 2 February 2009; and how many were fitted with snow chains.

Jim Fitzpatrick: On 2 February 2009 ministerial transport movements were kept to a minimum, in line with advice given by the emergency services and the Highways Agency. The Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA) was able to fulfil all its essential ministerial transport obligations on that day.
	GCDA does not fit snow chains to its car fleet.

Park and Ride Schemes: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many park and ride locations there were in York in each year since 1997.

Paul Clark: Since 1997 two Park and Ride locations have opened in York, at the Designer Outlet in 2000 and at Monks Cross in 2004. These are in addition to those opened at Askham Bar in 1990, Grimston Bar in 1994 and Rawcliffe Bar in 1996. Two new Park and Ride faculties planned on A59 and at Clifton Moor with openings anticipated in 2011-12.

Public Transport

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent steps the Government has taken to encourage people to use public transport.

Paul Clark: The Local Transport Act 2008, which secured Royal Assent in November 2008, will give local authorities enhanced powers to deliver better bus services and a more integrated transport system tailored to local needs.
	We are also investing heavily in improving both bus and rail services. Local and central government now provide 2.5 billion in supporting the local bus network, double the level of spending a decade ago. This includes 1 billion for free off-peak bus travel anywhere in England for older and eligible disabled people and 57 million through the Rural Bus Subsidy Grant.
	We have also launched a new Kickstart bus funding competition which offers local transport authorities the chance to bid for a share of 25 million to pump-prime new or enhanced bus services in partnership with bus operators.
	The Government are putting record investment in rail as part of their strategy to give people an alternative to travelling by road and meet our environmental obligations on CO2 emissions. Over 10 billion will be invested in enhancing capacity between 2009 and 2014, with overall Government support for the railway totalling 15 billion.

Public Transport: Elderly

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent steps the Government has taken to make public transport more affordable for older citizens.

Paul Clark: The Government introduced the statutory minimum bus concession in England in 2001 giving half fare local bus travel at off-peak times to older and eligible disabled residents. In April 2006 this was improved to give free off-peak bus travel in a resident's local area.
	From 1 April 2008, this was extended to England-wide so that 11 million older and eligible disabled people are entitled to free off-peak bus travel anywhere in England.
	The Government are providing around 1 billion each year to support the England-wide concession. An extra 212 million has been made available to local authorities from 2008-09, through a special grant, to fund the increased cost of the new statutory minimum bus concession. The funding allocation was approved following debate in the House on 25 March 2008.

Railway Stations: Opening Hours

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria his Department set for determining whether South West Trains be allowed to close ticket offices within the terms of its franchise agreement; and what criteria will be applied in decisions on First Capital Connect's proposed closures of ticket offices.

Paul Clark: South West Trains (SWT) submitted their proposals as a major change under the procedures of the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement (TSAthe approved industry process for such matters), which sets the procedures that operators use to change ticket office hours.
	The major change procedure permits operators to make reductions in the opening hours of its ticket offices as long as the appropriate criteria are met. These are that:
	the change represents an improvement on current arrangements in terms of quality of service and/or cost-effectiveness; and
	that members of the public will continue to enjoy widespread and easy access to the purchase of rail products
	Following the required consultation period Passenger Focus (PF) and London TravelWatch (LTW) raised objections to the SWT proposal and the Secretary of State was required to arbitrate.
	The Secretary of State reviewed the proposal against the criteria set out in the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement, taking into account the views of Passenger Focus, London Travel Watch and SWT. No SWT ticket offices were closed completely.
	First Capital Connect's proposals are currently under consultation. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to make any comment on them at present which may fetter the discretion of the Secretary of State if the proposals are referred by the operator for arbitration. However, should this arise the same criteria will be applied.

Railways: Accidents

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many  (a) injuries and  (b) deaths have occurred in accidents on railway crossings in (i) Hemel Hempstead and (ii) Hertfordshire in each year since 1998.

Paul Clark: There are no level crossings in the Hemel Hempstead area.
	The following data, relating to Hertfordshire, is based on incidents reported to the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR 95). Figures for 2008 are provisional and may change with the receipt of coroners' findings for inquests that are currently outstanding.
	
		
			  Level crossing accidents in Hertfordshire 1998 to 2008( 1) 
			   Fatalities  Injuries  Total 
			 1998 1 0 1 
			 1999 0 1 1 
			 2000 1 1 2 
			 2001 1 0 1 
			 2002 2 1 3 
			 2003 2 0 2 
			 2004 0 0 0 
			 2005 1 0 1 
			 2006 1 0 1 
			 2007 0 1 1 
			 2008(1) 1 0 1 
			 Total 10 4 14 
			 (1 )Provisional figures.

Railways: Accidents

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many  (a) fatalities and  (b) injuries there have been on the railways in (i) Greater London, (ii) Sutton and Cheam constituency and (iii) nationwide in each year since 1998.

Paul Clark: Fatality and injury data by constituency can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	However, the other information requested on fatalities and injuries on the railways in Greater London and nationwide in each year since 1998 is shown in the following tables.
	
		
			  Table 1 :  Railway fatalities and injuries Great Britain1998-08( 1) 
			   Fatalities  Injuries 
			 1998 288 4,565 
			 1999 349 5,407 
			 2000 319 5,523 
			 2001 308 5,239 
			 2002 316 5,197 
			 2003 286 5,125 
			 2004 288 5,129 
			 2005 314 5,266 
			 2006 343 4,529 
			 2007 309 4,545 
			 2008(1) 309 3,988 
			 (1) Provisional figures. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Railway fatalities and injuries Greater London area only 1998-08( 1) 
			   Fatalities  Injuries 
			 1998 73 2,303 
			 1999 98 2,485 
			 2000 63 2,366 
			 2001 84 2,319 
			 2002 75 2,434 
			 2003 73 2,558 
			 2004 59 2,565 
			 2005 78 2,805 
			 2006 81 2,481 
			 2007 75 2,461 
			 2008(1) 81 2,074 
			 (1) Provisional figures. 
		
	
	The data is based on incidents reported to the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR 95). The majority of fatality figures relate to incidents of trespass and suicide.
	Data for 2008 is provisional and subject to change.

Railways: Coventry

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent steps the Government has taken to improve rail services to and from Coventry.

Paul Clark: The Government have specified an increase in the number of inter-city trains from two to three each way per hour between London, Coventry and Birmingham, and the additional services were introduced in December 2008. The Government have also specified an increase in the number of trains between Northampton, Coventry and Birmingham from one to two each way per hour throughout the day, and these too were introduced in December 2008.

Railways: East Midlands

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 20 January 2009,  Official Report, column 1305W, on railways: overcrowding, whether East Midlands Trains class 158 trains will be providing a service during rush hour periods.

Paul Clark: Yes. East Midlands Trains is under an obligation to deploy all its available fleet during peak hours, which includes Class 158 units.

Railways: Fares

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 3 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1137W, on railways: fares, what reasons underlie the Government's policy on the provision of additional railcard schemes; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: Railcards offer a discount against the full price of travel. They are designed to encourage travel by groups of people who might otherwise be unable to use rail and to encourage social inclusion. In general, railcards are for off-peak travel where there is spare train capacity.
	All franchised train operators must accept the Senior Railcard, Young Persons Railcard and Disabled Persons' Railcard. Other railcards are offered commercially by train operators.
	Factors in considering any additional railcard would include whether it was likely to reduce the revenue to the railway, and whether it would benefit those on a high income as well as those on a lower income. Fares revenue and subsidy together have to cover the costs of providing the service. We could require operators to offer more railcards but only if Government paid higher subsidies to offset the reduction in revenue. This would reduce the funds available for other things, including investment in train services.

Railways: Standards

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next plans to meet UK train operators to discuss the  (a) level of fares,  (b) train punctuality,  (c) quality of rolling stock and  (d) level and quality of refreshment services on board trains.

Paul Clark: In addition to regular general meetings with the Association of Train Operating Companies and representatives of the train operators, Department for Transport Ministers meet senior representatives of all GB train operators every four weeks to specifically discuss rail industry operational performance.
	In addition, departmental officials meet all franchise train operators every four weeks to discuss the delivery of franchise agreements and obligations.

Railways: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department spent on railway infrastructure serving the  (a) City of York and  (b) East Coast Main Line in each of the last 15 years.

Paul Clark: The Department for Transport does not hold the information in the form requested.
	The majority of capital investment on the railway is undertaken by Network Rail which is funded through a combination of direct grants from Government and track access charges levied on train operators. Details of total historic Government spending on the railway are published by the Office of Rail Regulation in National Rail Trends. Copies of this are available in the Library of the House and on the ORR's website at
	http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.1863.

Roads: Lighting

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the likely effects on  (a) levels of road safety and  (b) numbers of road accidents of reducing the hours during which (i) street and (ii) motorway lighting is used; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: Street lighting service levels on local roads are a matter for individual highway authorities.
	The effects of reducing lighting levels or turning lights off will vary from case to case. Any reduction in energy use would have to be balanced against potential adverse effects, for example on accidents. The UK Lighting Board in conjunction with the Institution of Lighting Engineers has published Invest to Save which provides guidance to local authorities considering reducing lighting levels. The document can be found at the Institution of Lighting Engineers' website at:
	www.ile.org.uk
	In respect of motorways, the Highways Agency provides and renew lighting by conducting a cost-benefit appraisal based on the historic accident rates for individual locations. This aims to deliver improvements to road safety and reduced night time accidents, where they would have the most effect.
	Consideration is being given to switching off lighting on sections of motorway where there is a good safety record, traffic flows are low between midnight and 5 am, and have been subject to the completion of a thorough safety risk assessment.

Roads: Repairs and Maintenance

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the cost to the public purse was of maintaining each  (a) motorway,  (b) trunk road and  (c) other road for which the Highways Agency was responsible in each year since 1997-98, broken down by road.

Paul Clark: The cost to the public purse of maintaining the motorways, trunk roads and other roads for which the Highways Agency was responsible in each year since 1997-98 is as follows:
	
		
			   millions 
			 2007-08 879 
			 2006-07 850 
			 2005-06 852 
			 2004-05 732 
			 2003-04 726 
			 2002-03 760 
			 2001-02 711 
			 2000-01 736 
			 1999-2000 726 
			 1998-99 638 
			 1997-98 499 
		
	
	The expenditure figures are for maintenance on the strategic road network managed and maintained by the Highways Agency. This includes renewal of the road surface and repairs to structures, as well as routine maintenance such as gully clearing, white lining, cleaning and winter maintenance. Costs excluded are those associated with our PFI contracts and our traffic and incident management service. To provide the aggregate of this information by individual road/route would require a significant amount of additional analysis, as such could be provided only at disproportionate costs.
	Expenditure figures have been adjusted to account for spend relating to roads trunked or detrunked in the financial year.
	Spend figures prior to 2000-01 are based on cash accounting; the later years are based on resource accounting.

Roads: Snow and Ice

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much the Highways Agency has spent on grit in each of the last 10 years.

Paul Clark: The Highways Agency does not use grit. The mineral used for the treatment of its network is road-salt.
	The Highways Agency's routine and winter service is undertaken by its service providers. The procurement of road-salt used for the treatment of the network is a part of the lump-sum activity of these service providers. The specific amount spent on road-salt is not discernable from the contracts with our service providers.
	Salt usage for the strategic road network varies between 300,000-400,000 tonnes per annum and the current cost for road salt is approximately 25 per tonne.

Roads: Snow and Ice

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions his has had with the  (a) Highways Agency and  (b) Salt Union on the distribution of salt to (i) Highways Agency depots and (ii) local authorities since 1 January 2009.

Paul Clark: holding answer 12 February 2009
	 The Government, Highways Agency, the Local Government Agency and individual local authorities have been working closely together to help prioritise the distribution of new supplies of road salt both to the Highways Agency for the Strategic Road Network and to local highway authorities for local roads. As a consequence of this, since the onset of the adverse weather conditions, the Department for Transport has been in regular contact with Salt Union on their delivery plans and priorities.

Roads: Snow and Ice

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance his Department has issued to the Highways Agency on minimum salt reserves; what level of salt stocks the Highways Agency held in each week since 1 January 2009; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: holding answer 12 February 2009
	 The Highways Agency requires its service providers to hold a contractual minimum salting capability of four to six days (depending on the contract). This is based on heavy salting conditions, typically snow conditions. This requirement has been eased in recent days to reflect the adverse weather conditions.
	Given the recent severe weather and pressures on road salt supplies nationwide, the Secretary of State agreed that the Highways Agency should maintain an average salting capability for the Strategic Road Network of at least three days based on heavy salting conditions.
	The following table shows the stocks held in capability days for the last seven weeks.
	
		
			   HA average salting capability (days) 
			 W/C 29 December 2008 average 9.60 
			 W/C 5 January 2009 average 8.37 
			 W/C 12 January 2009 average 8.60 
			 W/C 19 January 2009 average 8.77 
			 W/C 26 January 2009 average 7.83 
			 W/C 2 February 2009 average 4.90 
			 W/C 9 February 2009 average 3.67

Roads: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many  (a) adults and  (b) children died on the roads in York in each of the last 15 years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The number of  (a) adults and  (b) children fatalities resulting from reported personal injury road accidents in the City of York each year since 1996 is given in the table:
	
		
			  Number of fatalities 
			   Adults  Children( 1)  Total 
			 1996 3 1 4 
			 1997 8 0 8 
			 1998 4 0 4 
			 1999 9 0 9 
			 2000 11 1 12 
			 2001 7 0 7 
			 2002 11 0 11 
			 2003 8 0 8 
			 2004 7 0 7 
			 2005 11 0 11 
			 2006 6 2 8 
			 2007 4 0 4 
			 (1) Children aged 0-15 
		
	
	Information is only given from year 1996 onwards due to the change in local authority boundaries. The City of York became a unitary authority in 1996.

Trains

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the safety of  (a) the type of trains chosen to replace high speed trains and  (b) pendolino trains.

Paul Clark: Under the Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2006 any new train to be operated on Great Britain's network must be authorised by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR). The authorisation involves confirmation that essential requirements, including safety, have been met.
	Pendolino trains were subject to earlier interoperability regulations and authorised to be placed into service by the Office of Rail Regulation. The design chosen to replace high speed trains will also be subject to interoperability regulations.

TransPennine Express: Franchises

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of First TransPennine Express's performance in operating their franchise.

Paul Clark: First TransPennine Express has been a successful franchise to date, delivering all obligations contained within their franchise agreement that commenced on 1 February 2004. This includes:
	management of the build and delivery into service of a fleet of 51 new diesel trains, together with construction and implementation of dedicated maintenance facilities including new depots in Manchester and York.
	Completion of a 12.2 million expenditure plan delivering improvements and enhancement to the 30 stations for which they are responsible.
	Improvements in train operating performance year on year, meeting public performance measure targets.
	Introduction of additional routes and services, between Manchester airport and Blackpool and Scottish destinations.

Vehicle and Operator Services Agency

Ian Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will provide a breakdown of the figures in table A1.36 of the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency's Effectiveness Report 2007-08 to show how many drivers were  (a) employed and  (b) self-employed.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Vehicle and Operators Services Agency does not record encounters in such a way that would allow identification of how many drivers were employed or self employed.